World Factbook
Burundi
République du Burundi (French)/ Republika y'u Burundi (Kirundi)
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: divided by a white diagonal cross into red triangles (top and bottom) and green triangles (on each side) with a white disk at the center bearing three six-pointed red stars outlined in green and arranged in a triangular design meaning: green stands for hope and optimism, white for purity and peace, and red for the blood shed in the struggle for independence; the three stars represent the major ethnic groups (Hutu, Twa, Tutsi), as well as unity, work, and progress
Capital
name
Gitega (political capital), Bujumbura (commercial capital)
note
note: in January 2019, the Burundian parliament voted to make Gitega the political capital of the country while Bujumbura would remain its economic capital; as of 2023, the government's move to Gitega remains incomplete
etymology
the origin of the name Bujumbura is unclear, but "bu-" is a Bantu prefix meaning "place"
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
3 25 S, 29 55 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
the father must be a citizen of Burundi
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
10 years
Constitution
history
several previous, ratified by referendum 28 February 2005
amendment process
proposed by the president of the republic after consultation with the government or by absolute majority support of the membership in both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Senate membership and at least four-fifths majority vote by the National Assembly; the president can opt to submit amendment bills to a referendum; constitutional articles including those on national unity, the secularity of Burundi, its democratic form of government, and its sovereignty cannot be amended
Country name
former
Urundi, German East Africa, Ruanda-Urundi, Kingdom of Burundi
etymology
name dates from 1966 and is derived from the name of the local Bantu people, the Rundi or Barundi; ba - is the prefix for the people, and bu - is the prefix for the country; the former name, Urundi, is the Swahili version
local long form
République du Burundi (French)/ Republika y'u Burundi (Kirundi)
local short form
Burundi
conventional long form
Republic of Burundi
conventional short form
Burundi
Independence
1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
Legal system
mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members)
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence; Martial Court; Commercial Court
judge selection and term of office
Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member body of judicial and legal profession officials), appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and serve 6-year nonrenewable terms
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by president
chief of state
President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (since 18 June 2020)
election results
2020: Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE elected president; percent of vote - Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (CNDD-FDD) 71.5%, Agathon RWASA (CNL) 25.2%, Gaston SINDIMWO (UPRONA) 1.7%, other 1.6% 2015: Pierre NKURUNZIZA reelected president; percent of vote - Pierre NKURUNZIZA (CNDD-FDD) 69.4%, Agathon RWASA (Hope of Burundians - Amizerio y'ABARUNDI) 19%, other 11.6%
head of government
Prime Minister Nestor NTAHONTUYE (since 5 August 2025)
most recent election date
20 May 2020
election/appointment process
president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by Parliament
expected date of next election
May 2027
National holiday
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
National color(s)
red, white, green
Political parties
Council for Democracy and the Sustainable Development of Burundi or CODEBU Front for Democracy in Burundi-Sahwanya or FRODEBU-Sahwanya National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD National Congress for Liberty or CNL National Liberation Forces or FNL Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Parlement)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi)
history
adopted 1962
lyrics/music
Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO
National symbol(s)
lion
Administrative divisions
5 provinces: Buhumuza, Bujumbura, Burunga, Butanyerera, Gitega
Legislative branch - lower chamber
note
note: 60% of seats in the National Assembly are allocated to Hutus and 40% to Tutsis; 3 seats are reserved for Twas; 30% of total seats are reserved for women
chamber name
National Assembly (Inama Nshingamateka)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
111 (all directly elected)
electoral system
proportional representation
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
6/5/2025
expected date of next election
June 2030
percentage of women in chamber
39.6%
parties elected and seats per party
National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) (108); Other (3)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
note
note: 3 seats in the Senate are reserved for Twas, and 30% of all votes are reserved for women
chamber name
Senate (Inama Nkenguzamateka)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
13 (all indirectly elected)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
7/23/2025
expected date of next election
July 2030
percentage of women in chamber
46.2%
parties elected and seats per party
National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Front for the Defense of Democracy (CNDD-FDD) (10)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 342-2578
chancery
2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone
[1] (202) 342-2574
chief of mission
Ambassador Jean Bosco BAREGE (since 27 February 2024)
email address and website
burundiembusadc@gmail.com Burundi Embassy Washington D.C. (burundiembassy-usa.com)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[257] 22-222-926
embassy
No 50 Avenue Des Etats-Unis, 110-01-02, Bujumbura
telephone
[257] 22-207-000
mailing address
2100 Bujumbura Place, Washington DC 20521-2100
chief of mission
Ambassador Lisa PETERSON (since 27 June 2024)
email address and website
BujumburaC@state.gov https://bi.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, CEMAC, CEPGL, CICA, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICGLR, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew from ICCt in October 2017