Burundi Travel Guide

Burundi — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Central Africa.
Language: The official languages are French and Kirundi, a Bantu language. Swahili and English are also spoken.
Area: 27,816 sq km (10,740 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 3.
Electricity: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Population: 7.3 million (2005).
Population Density: 262.4 per sq km.
Capital City: Bujumbura. Population: 200,000 (2005).
Government: Republic. Gained independence from Belgium in 1966.
Head of State: President Pierre Nkurunziza since 2005.
Religion: 77% 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.

Recent History

In 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’.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +257.

Mobile Telephone

Coverage mainly in the west of the country.

Internet

Available in some areas. There are a few Internet cafés in Bujumbura.

Media

Burundi'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.

Post

The main office in Bujumbura is open Mon-Fri 0730-1200 and 1400-1730, Sat 0830-1200.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
5 Feb Unity Day
1 May Labor Day
2 Jun 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

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
5 Feb Unity Day
1 May Labor Day
17 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