Burundi

Burundi

Introduction

Background

Burundi’s first democratically elected president was assassinated in October 1993 after only 100 days in office, triggering widespread ethnic violence between Hutu and Tutsi factions. More than 200,000 Burundians perished during the conflict that spanned almost a dozen years. Hundreds of thousands of Burundians were internally displaced or became refugees in neighboring countries. An internationally brokered power-sharing agreement between the Tutsi-dominated government and the Hutu rebels in 2003 paved the way for a transition process that led to an integrated defense force, established a new constitution in 2005, and elected a majority Hutu government in 2005. The new government, led by President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, signed a South African brokered ceasefire with the country’s last rebel group in September of 2006 but still faces many challenges.

Geography

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates

3 30 S, 30 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 27,830 sq km
country comparison to the world: 147 land:25,680 sq km
water:2,150 sq km

Area – comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Land boundaries

total: 974 km
border countries:Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

equatorial

high plateau with considerable altitude variation (772 m to 2,670 m above sea level)

average annual temperature varies with altitude from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade but is generally moderate as the average altitude is about 1,700 m

average annual rainfall is about 150 cm

two wet seasons (February to May and September to November), and two dry seasons (June to August and December to January)

Terrain

hilly and mountainous, dropping to a plateau in east, some plains

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Lake Tanganyika 772 m
highest point:Heha 2,670 m

Natural resources

nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum, vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone

Land use

arable land: 35.57%
permanent crops:13.12%
other:51.31% (2005)

Irrigated land

230 sq km (2008)

Total renewable water resources

3.6 cu km (1987)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.29cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%)
per capita:38cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

flooding

landslides

drought

Environment – current issues

soil erosion as a result of overgrazing and the expansion of agriculture into marginal lands

deforestation (little forested land remains because of uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel)

habitat loss threatens wildlife populations

Environment – international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea

Geography – note

landlocked

straddles crest of the Nile-Congo watershed

the Kagera, which drains into Lake Victoria, is the most remote headstream of the White Nile

People and Society

Nationality

noun: Burundian(s)
adjective:Burundian

Ethnic groups

Hutu (Bantu) 85%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, Europeans 3,000, South Asians 2,000

Languages

Kirundi (official), French (official), Swahili (along Lake Tanganyika and in the Bujumbura area)

Religions

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%), indigenous beliefs 23%, Muslim 10%

Population

10,216,190 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 81 note:estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS

this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Age structure

0-14 years: 46% (male 2,360,214/female 2,335,541)
15-64 years:51.6% (male 2,598,011/female 2,669,376)
65 years and over:2.5% (male 101,207/female 151,841) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 16.9 years
male:16.6 years
female:17.2 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

3.462% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

Birth rate

41.01 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 9

Death rate

9.61 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60

Net migration rate

3.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

Urbanization

urban population: 11% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:4.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

BUJUMBURA (capital) 455,000 (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.97 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.67 male(s)/female
total population:0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

970 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 6

Infant mortality rate

total: 61.82 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 30 male:66.4 deaths/1,000 live births
female:57.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 58.78 years
country comparison to the world: 189 male:57.09 years
female:60.52 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.16 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5

Health expenditures

13.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 7

Physicians density

0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2004)
country comparison to the world: 183

Hospital bed density

0.73 beds/1,000 population (2006)
country comparison to the world: 159

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 83% of population
rural: 71% of population
total: 72% of population
unimproved:
urban: 17% of population
rural: 29% of population
total: 28% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 49% of population
rural: 46% of population
total: 46% of population
unimproved:
urban: 51% of population
rural: 54% of population
total: 54% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

3.3% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

180,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28

HIV/AIDS – deaths

15,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:malaria
water contact disease:schistosomiasis
animal contact disease:rabies (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

38.9% (2000)
country comparison to the world: 6

Education expenditures

8.3% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 10

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:59.3%
male:67.3%
female:52.2% (2000 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 10 years
male:9 years
female:7 years (2009)

Government

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Burundi
conventional short form:Burundi
local long form:Republique du Burundi/Republika y’u Burundi
local short form:Burundi
former:Urundi

Government type

republic

Capital

name: Bujumbura
geographic coordinates:3 22 S, 29 21 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Administrative divisions

17 provinces

Bubanza, Bujumbura Mairie, Bujumbura Rural, Bururi, Cankuzo, Cibitoke, Gitega, Karuzi, Kayanza, Kirundo, Makamba, Muramvya, Muyinga, Mwaro, Ngozi, Rutana, Ruyigi

Independence

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution

ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005

Legal system

mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Suffrage

18 years of age

universal

Executive branch

chief of state: President Pierre NKURUNZIZA – Hutu (since 26 August 2005)

First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA – Tutsi (since 29 August 2010)

Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI – Hutu (since 29 August 2010)

note – the president is both the chief of state and head of government
head of government:President Pierre NKURUNZIZA – Hutu (since 26 August 2005)

First Vice President Therence SINUNGURUZA – Tutsi (since 29 August 2010)

Second Vice President Gervais RUFYIKIRI – Hutu (since 29 August 2010)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by president
(For more information visit the World Leaders website ) elections:the president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term)

elections last held on 28 June 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

vice presidents nominated by the president, endorsed by parliament
election results:Pierre NKURUNZIZA elected president by popular vote

Pierre NKURUNZIZA 91.6%, other 8.4%

note – opposition parties withdrew from the election due to alleged government interference in the electoral process

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlement, consists of a Senate (54 seats

34 members elected by indirect vote to serve five-year terms, with remaining seats assigned to ethnic groups and former chiefs of state) and a National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (minimum 100 seats, 60% Hutu and 40% Tutsi with at least 30% being women

additional seats appointed by a National Independent Electoral Commission to ensure ethnic representation

members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections:last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015)
election results:Senate – percent of vote by party – NA%

seats by party – TBD

National Assembly – percent of vote by party – CNDD-FDD 81.2%, UPRONA 11.6%, FRODEBU 5.9%, others 1.3%

seats by party – CNDD-FDD 81, UPRONA 17, FRODEBU 5, other 3

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Constitutional Court

High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court)

Political parties and leaders

governing parties: Burundi Democratic Front or FRODEBU [Leonce NGENDAKUMANA]

National Council for the Defense of Democracy – Front for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD-FDD [Jeremie NGENDAKUMANA]

Unity for National Progress or UPRONA [Bonaventure NIYOYANKANA]
note:a multiparty system was introduced after 1998, included are: National Council for the Defense of Democracy or CNDD [Leonard NYANGOMA]

National Resistance Movement for the Rehabilitation of the Citizen or MRC-Rurenzangemero [Epitace BANYAGANAKANDI]

Party for National Redress or PARENA [Jean-Baptiste BAGAZA]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Forum for the Strengthening of Civil Society or FORSC [Pacifique NININAHAZWE] (civil society umbrella organization)

Observatoire de lutte contre la corruption et les malversations economiques or OLUCOME [Gabriel RUFYIRI] (anti-corruption pressure group)
other:Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized)

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Angele NIYUHIRE
chancery:Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007
telephone:[1] (202) 342-2574
FAX:[1] (202) 342-2578

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela J. H. SLUTZ
embassy:Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
mailing address:B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
telephone:[257] 223454
FAX:[257] 222926

Flag description

divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and fly side) with a white disk superimposed at the center bearing three red six-pointed stars outlined in green arranged in a triangular design (one star above, two stars below)

green symbolizes hope and optimism, white purity and peace, and red the blood shed in the struggle for independence

the three stars in the disk represent the three major ethnic groups: Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national motto: unity, work, progress

National symbol(s)

lion

National anthem

name: “Burundi Bwacu” (Our Beloved Burundi)
lyrics/music:Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO
note:adopted 1962

Economy

Economy – overview

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural which accounts for just over 30% of GDP and employs more than 90% of the population. Burundi’s primary exports are coffee and tea, which account for 90% of foreign exchange earnings, though exports are a relatively small share of GDP. Burundi’s export earnings – and its ability to pay for imports – rests primarily on weather conditions and international coffee and tea prices. The Tutsi minority, 14% of the population, dominates the coffee trade. An ethnic-based war that lasted for over a decade resulted in more than 200,000 deaths, forced more than 48,000 refugees into Tanzania, and displaced 140,000 others internally. Only one in two children go to school, and approximately one in 15 adults has HIV/AIDS. Food, medicine, and electricity remain in short supply. Less than 2% of the population has electricity in its homes. Burundi’s GDP grew around 4% annually in 2006-10. Political stability and the end of the civil war have improved aid flows and economic activity has increased, but underlying weaknesses – a high poverty rate, poor education rates, a weak legal system, a poor transportation network, overburdened utilities, and low administrative capacity – risk undermining planned economic reforms. The purchasing power of most Burundians has decreased as wage increases have not kept up with inflation. Burundi will continue to remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors

the delay of funds after a corruption scandal cut off bilateral aid in 2007 reduced government’s revenues and its ability to pay salaries. Burundi joined the East African Community, which should boost Burundi’s regional trade ties, and received $700 million in debt relief in 2009. Government corruption is also hindering the development of a healthy private sector as companies seek to navigate an environment with ever-changing rules.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$3.397 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172 $3.272 billion (2009 est.)
$3.161 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.489 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

3.9% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 101 3.5% (2009 est.)
4.5% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$300 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 227 $300 (2009 est.)
$300 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 31.6%
industry:21.4%
services:47% (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.245 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 84

Labor force – by occupation

agriculture: 93.6%
industry:2.3%
services:4.1% (2002 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Population below poverty line

68% (2002 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 4.1%
highest 10%:28% (2006)

Distribution of family income – Gini index

42.4 (1998)
country comparison to the world: 51

Investment (gross fixed)

31.3% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25

Budget

revenues: $424.4 million
expenditures:$525.4 million (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

28.5% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.8% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

6.4% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171 11% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

11.25% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

12.4% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 71 14.076% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$309.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168 $293.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$628.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171 $527.4 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$437.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168 $415.1 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca)

beef, milk, hides

Industries

light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap

assembly of imported components

public works construction

food processing

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

Electricity – production

208 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177

Electricity – consumption

273.4 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

80 million kWh

note – supplied by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2008 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158

Oil – consumption

3,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

Oil – imports

2,450 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 175

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 95

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117

Current account balance

-$158.1 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 80 $130.1 million (2009 est.)

Exports

$87.2 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191 $68.2 million (2009 est.)

Exports – commodities

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Exports – partners

Germany 27.5%, Pakistan 10.3%, Belgium 5.7%, Rwanda 5%, US 4.2%, China 4.1% (2010)

Imports

$506.7 million (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188 $335 million (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Imports – partners

Saudi Arabia 15.8%, Uganda 7.8%, Belgium 7.6%, China 7.5%, Kenya 6.9%, Zambia 6.4%, France 4.2% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$332.1 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155 $323.1 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$1.2 billion (2003)
country comparison to the world: 148

Exchange rates

Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar -
1,250.75 (2010)
1,230.18 (2009)
1,198 (2008)
1,065 (2007)
1,030 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

8 (2010)
country comparison to the world:163

Airports – with paved runways

total: 1
over 3,047 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 7
914 to 1,523 m:4
under 914 m:3 (2010)

Heliports

1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 12,322 km
country comparison to the world: 129 paved:1,286 km
unpaved:11,036 km (2004)

Waterways

(mainly on Lake Tanganyika between Bujumbura, Burundi’s principal port, and lake ports in Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo) (2010)

Ports and terminals

Bujumbura

Military

Military branches

National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN): Army (includes naval detachment, Air Wing, and Coast Guard), National Gendarmerie (2011)

Military service age and obligation

military service is voluntary

the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 does not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government claims that no one younger than 18 is being recruited

mandatory retirement age 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), and 55 (officers) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 2,182,327
females age 16-49:2,202,125 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 1,398,769
females age 16-49:1,481,417 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 117,956
female:116,956 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2006 est.)
country comparison to the world: 11

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

Burundi and Rwanda dispute two sq km (0.8 sq mi) of Sabanerwa, a farmed area in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965

cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces persist in the Great Lakes region

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 9,849 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
IDPs:100,000 (armed conflict between government and rebels

most IDPs in northern and western Burundi) (2007)

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Burundi is a source country for children and possibly women subjected to forced begging and labor and sex trafficking

male tourists from the Middle East, particularly Lebanon, exploit Burundian girls in prostitution

Burundian girls are forced into prostitution in Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the government continued its efforts to identify trafficking victims, investigate potential trafficking offenses, and raise public awareness

despite these efforts, the government did not demonstrate overall increased efforts to address human trafficking over the previous year, particularly in prosecution and protection (2011)