LocationCentral Africa.
Area27,816 sq km (10,740 sq miles).
Population7.3 million (2005).
Population Density262.4 per sq km.
CapitalBujumbura.
Population: 200,000 (2005).
GovernmentRepublic. Gained independence from Belgium in 1966.
LanguageThe official languages are French and Kirundi, a Bantu language. Swahili and English are also spoken.
Religion77% of the population are Christian, the majority of which are Roman Catholic; there are Anglican and Pentecostal
minorities. 22% adhere to animist beliefs. There is also a small (1%) Muslim community.
TimeGMT + 3.
Electricity220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Head of StatePresident Pierre Nkurunziza since 2005.
Recent HistoryIn the final years of the 1990s, the guerrilla war between Hutu rebels and the Tutsi-dominated army intensified. However, mediation efforts by the Tanzanians and, crucially, Nelson Mandela, drew most of the parties into a draft accord in March 2000, with a final settlement in November 2001. The largest Hutu rebel group, the Forces for the Defence of Democracy (FDD), signed the accord, although dissident FDD elements, along with the other main rebel group, the National Liberation Front (which has not signed) continued their guerrilla war against the government. Nonetheless, the accord has worked out reasonably well and been implemented on schedule.
A transitional government jointly led by Buyoya and FRODEBU leader Domitien Ndayizeye, held power until April 2003, when Buyoya stood down and Ndayizeye became the country’s sole leader. A South African-led African Union peacekeeping force has been brought in to try and control the country – a formidable task by any standards.
Former rebel leader Pierre Nkurunziza was elected as president in August 2005 in the final step of a deal to end 12 years of war between Hutu rebels and the Tutsi army. Although he was the only candidate, he is the first president chosen through democratic means since the start of the civil war in 1993. Under the new terms of the deal agreed between the government and Hutu rebels, democracy will be balanced with guarantees for the Tutsi minority.
Under the 1998 constitution, modified from the 1992 constitution, executive power rests with an elected president. Two vice-presidential posts, assigned to the two main ethnic groups, were also created. Legislative power is held by the National Transitional Assembly, comprising the 81 elected members of the former National Assembly elected under the old 1992 constitution, plus 40 additional members appointed from political parties and ‘civil society’.
TelephoneCountry code: 257.
Mobile TelephoneCoverage mainly in the west of the country.
InternetAvailable in some areas. There are a few Internet cafes in Bujumbura.
MediaBurundi’s media are self-censored and also receive occasional government censorship. Nevertheless, a range of political views are sometimes aired. There is a high turnover rate for newspapers. The sale of newspapers is quite low due to small print runs and low levels of literacy. The main source of information for many Burundians is therefore the radio. The only radio station with national coverage is government-owned, as is Burundi’s only TV station.
PostPost office hours: The main office in Bujumbura is open Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1400-1730, Sat 0830-1200.
Press• No English-language newspapers are published.
• Most publications are in French (such as
Le Renouveau du Burundi) or local languages (such as
Ubumwe in Kirundi).
• The two main newspapers are government-controlled.
Radio•
Radio Burundi is government-controlled (by
RTNB), and also operates an educational network.
•
Radio Isanganiro and
Radio Publique Africaine are private (although the latter receives some UN and overseas funding).
•
Radio CCIB+ is operated by the Burundi Chamber of Commerce.
• Other radio broadcasters in operation with the aid of funding include
Bonesha FM (funded by international organizations with the intention of promoting reconciliation) and
Radio Culture (partly funded by the health ministry).
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.
20091 Jan New Year's Day.
5 Feb Unity Day.
1 May Labor Day.
21 May Ascension.
1 Jul Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
13 Oct Anniversary of Rwagasore's Assassination.
21 Oct Anniversary of President Ndadaye's Assassination.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
20101 Jan New Year's Day.
5 Feb Unity Day.
1 May Labor Day.
13 May Ascension.
1 Jul Independence Day.
15 Aug Assumption.
13 Oct Anniversary of Rwagasore's Assassination.
21 Oct Anniversary of President Ndadaye's Assassination.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
Contact Information:Office National du Tourisme2 avenue des Euphorbes, BP 902, Bujumbura, Burundi
Tel: 222 023
or 229 390.
Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in Belgium46 square Marie-Louise, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (02) 230 4535.
Embassy of the Republic of Burundi in the USASuite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA
Tel: (202) 342 2574.
Website:
www.burundiembassy-usa.org
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