Politics of Burundi

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Burundi

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Burundi

President Pierre Nkurunziza Vice-Presidents Martin Nduwimana Gabriel Ntisezerana Council of Ministers Parliament Senate National Assembly Supreme Court Provinces Communes Collines Provincial Governors Elections: 2005 Politicians Political Parties ONUB and BINUB Foreign relations

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Politics of Burundi takes place in a framework of a transitional presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President of Burundi is both head of state and head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. Executive power is exercised by the government. Legislative power is vested in both the government and the two chambers of parliament, the Senate and the National Assembly.

Contents 1 Political landscape after the civil war 2 Executive branch 3 Legislative branch 4 Political parties and elections 5 Administrative divisions 6 International relations

[edit] Political landscape after the civil war

The political landscape of Burundi has been dominated in recent years by the civil war and a long peace process and move to democracy. The current President of Burundi is Pierre Nkurunziza, a former rebel leader of the Hutu National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy who was elected unopposed as the new President of Burundi by the parliament on 19 August 2005. Nkurunziza was the first president chosen through democratic means since the start of the civil war in 1993 and was sworn in on 26 August, replacing transitional president Domitien Ndayizeye.

In November 1995, the presidents of Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zaire (currently Democratic Republic of Congo) announced a regional initiative for a negotiated peace in Burundi facilitated by former Tanzanian President Julius Nyerere. In July 1996, former Burundian President Buyoya returned to power in a bloodless coup. He declared himself president of a transitional republic, even as he suspended the National Assembly, banned opposition groups, and imposed a nationwide curfew. Widespread condemnation of the coup ensued, and regional countries imposed economic sanctions pending a return to a constitutional government. Buyoya agreed in 1996 to liberalize political parties. Nonetheless, fighting between the army and Hutu militias continued. In June 1998, Buyoya promulgated a transitional constitution and announced a partnership between the government and the opposition-led National Assembly. After facilitator Julius Nyerere's death in October 1999, the regional leaders appointed Nelson Mandela as Facilitator of the Arusha peace process. Under Mandela the peace process has revived and important progress has taken place.

[edit] Executive branch

Main office holders

Office	Name	Party	Since
President	Pierre Nkurunziza	CNDD-FDD	26 August 2005
Vice-presidents	Martin Nduwimana	UPRONA	26 August 2005
	Gabriel Ntisezerana		9 February 2007

The president is elected by the people. He nominates two vice-presidents, who form together with the Council of Ministers the executive branch.

[edit] Legislative branch

The National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) has 118 members, elected for a five year term by proportional representation with a 2% barrier. The Senate (Sénat) has 49 members, elected for a five year term by electoral colleges of communal councilors. Extra seats in both chambers can be added to ensure that ethnic and gender quotas are met. Burundi has a multi-party system, with two or three strong parties and a third party that is electorally successful. Parties are usually based on ethnic background.

[edit] Political parties and elections

For other political parties see List of political parties in Burundi. An overview on elections and election results is included in Elections in Burundi.

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 4 July 2005 National Assembly of Burundi election results

Parties	Votes	%	Elected seats	Coopted seats	Total seats
National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie–Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie, CNDD-FDD)	1,417,800	58.55	59	5	64
Front for Democracy in Burundi (Front pour la Démocratie au Burundi, FRODEBU)	525,336	21.70	25	5	30
Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progrès national, UPRONA)	174,575	7.21	10	5	15
National Council for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie, CNDD)	100,366	4.14	4	-	4
Movement for the Rehabilitation of Citizens-Rurenzangemero (Mouvement pour la Réhabilitation du Citoyen-Rurenzangemero, MRC)	51,730	2.14	2	-	2
Party for National Recovery (Parti pour le redressement national, PARENA)	42,223	1.74	-	-	-
Others & Independents	109,396	4.51	-	-	-
Ethnic Twa Members	-	-	-	3	3
Total (Voter Turnout: 77.2%)	2,421,426	100.0	100	18	118
Invalid/Blank Votes	24,575
Total Votes	2,446,001
Registered Voters	3,167,124
Source: African Elections Database

[discuss] – [edit]
Summary of the 29 July 2005 Senate of Burundi election results

Parties	Elected Members	Co-opted & Other Members	Total Seats
National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie–Forces pour la Défense de la Démocratie, CNDD-FDD)	30	2	32
Front for Democracy in Burundi (Front pour la Démocratie au Burundi, FRODEBU)	3	2	5
National Council for the Defense of Democracy (Conseil National Pour la Défense de la Démocratie, CNDD)	1	2	3
Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progrès national, UPRONA)	-	2	2
Ethnic Twa Members	-	3	3
Ex-Presidents (FRODEBU-2, UPRONA-1 and PARENA-1)	-	4	4
Total (turnout %)	34	15	49

[edit] Administrative divisions

Burundi has 17 provinces: Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rurale, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana and Ruyigi.

[edit] International relations

Burundi is member of ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat (nonsignatory user), Interpol, IOC, ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO.