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Burundi

The Republic of Burundi is situated in the Great Lakes region of Africa. It is a small, and underdeveloped country. The landlocked country shares its border with Rwanda on the north, Tanzania on the south and east, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo on the west. Lake Tanganyika lies in most of the western part of the nation. It is one of the poorest countries in the world.

HISTORY:- Twa was the earliest inhabitants in the region. Later Hutu and Tutsi tribes settled in the country. Generally they could not be differentiated as they share common custom, culture, dialect, even marriages. They were mostly unique in their occupation, as Hutu were mainly agricultural people while Tutsi were mainly cattle owners. In 1903, Burundi became a colonial territory of Germany. During World War I, it belonged to Belgium. In 1962, Burundi was granted independence with Mwami Mwambutsa IV as a Tutsi king. From 1965 to 1993, Burundi’s history was marked by several military rules. In 1965, a Hutu mutiny broke out against the Tutsi kingdom. Mwambutsa IV was replaced by his son Ntaré V, who again replaced by a military coup, led by Premier Michel Micombero. In early 1970s, a massive Hutu genocide took place by the Tutsi extremists. In 1976, Lt. Col. Jean-Baptiste who announced the 30-member Supreme Revolutionary Council, became the President. In 1987, Maj. Pierre Buyoya became the President. In 1993, Burundi’s first democratic presidential elections were held. Melchior Ndadaye became the first Hutu President. He was killed by a coup. After this assassination, several genocides, and violence by Hutu and Tutsi extremists led the country into total menace.

GEOGRAPHY:- Burundi is located at 3 30 S, 30 00 E in Central Africa. The landlocked nation comprises total 25,650 sq km land area and 2,180 sq km water area. The lowest point is Lake Tanganyika (772 m) and the highest point (Heha 2,670 m). The country is hilly to mountainous, with the plateau in the east.

CLIMATE:- Equatorial climate reigns in the country. The annual temperature ranges from 23 to 17 degrees centigrade. There are two rainy seasons: February to May and September to November and two dry seasons: June to August and December to January. The average annual rainfall is 150 cm.

GOVERNMENT:- Burundi is a republic. The constitution was adopted on 28th February 2005 with the support of a popular referendum. The legal system is based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law. The three branches of the government are:

Executive branch consists of the President (chief of state, head of government), vice Presidents, and cabinet. Cabinet ministers are appointed by the President.

Legislative branch consists of the bicameral Parliament, which is divided into National Assembly (minimum 100 seats) and a Senate (54 seats).

Judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court.

There are 21 registered political parties. National political parties are CNDD, FRODEBU, UPRONA. Suffrage is universal for adults.

President Pierre Nkurunziza

First Vice President Yves Sahinguvu

Second Vice President Gabriel Ntisezerana

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- Burundi is decomposed into 17 provinces, 117 communes, and 2,638 collines.

The provinces are as follows:

Bubanza

Bujumbura Mairie

Bujumbura Rural

Bururi

Cankuzo

Cibitoke

Gitega

Karuzi

Kayanza

Kirundo

Makamba

Muramvya

Muyinga

Mwaro

Ngozi

Rutana

Ruyigi

CULTURE:- The culture of Burundi is influenced by local tribes and neighbouring countries. Bribes are sometimes given by the groom’s family. Arranged marriages are also common. Drum is a key of the cultural decorum. Another traditional cultural practice is oral tradition of story and history telling by poetry and song. Football is the most popular sport. Mancala and Cricket are also popular among Burundians.

ECONOMY:- Burundi is an underdeveloped country. 90% of the population lives on agriculture. It is the poorest nation of the world according to GDP pert capita.

GDP/PPP (2006 est.): $5,744 billion; per capita $700.

Real growth rate: 5%.

Inflation: 11%.

Unemployment: n.a.

Arable land: 35%.

Agriculture: coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, manioc (tapioca); beef, milk, hides.

Labor force: 2.99 million (2002); agriculture 93.6%, industry 2.3%, services 4.1% (2002 est.).

Industries: light consumer goods such as blankets, shoes, soap; assembly of imported components; public works construction; food processing.

Natural resources: nickel, uranium, rare earth oxides, peat, cobalt, copper, platinum (not yet exploited), vanadium, arable land, hydropower, niobium, tantalum, gold, tin, tungsten, kaolin, limestone.

Budget:

Revenues: $264.2 million

Expenditures: $335.4 million

Debt - external: $1.2 billion (2003)

Exports: $55.68 million f.o.b. (2006 est.): coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides.

Imports: $207.3 million f.o.b. (2006 est.): capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs.

Major trading partners: Germany, Belgium, Pakistan, U.S., Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, France, Italy, Uganda, Japan (2004).

Monetary unit: Burundi franc

LANGUAGE:- Kirundi, French are official languages. Swahili is also spoken.

CITIES:- Capital Bujumbura is the largest city. Other large cities are Cibitoke, Muyinga, Ngozi, Bubanza, Gitega, Bururi.

POPULATION:- The estimated population is 8,390,505 with a growth rate of 3.6%.

A survey among 178 countries ranks Burundi as having lowest satisfaction with life.

Density per sq mi: 847

Literacy rate: 52% (2003 est.)

RACE:-

Hutu (Bantu) 85%

Tutsi (Hamitic) 14%,

Twa (Pygmy) 1%,

Europeans 3,000

South Asians 2,000

RELIGION:-

Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 62%, Protestant 5%)

Indigenous beliefs 23%

Muslim 10%

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 41.72 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 12.91 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 60.77 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 51.71 years

Total fertility rate: 6.4 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: 25,000 (2003 est.)

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 17

UNICEF:- Burundi government has granted $5 million on primary education sector, while UNICEF and its partners have provided basic schooling requirements to 1,70,000 students. This efforts have increased school enrolment almost a double to 5,00,000 children. UNICEF and its associates have already immunized 1.2 million people against meningitis, have saved 2 million under 15 children, have supplied insecticide-treated bed nets, quinine tablets to thousands to prevent malaria, have provided clean water and sanitation to over 150000 people. UNICEF also fights against child enrolment in war.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: 0 km.

Highways: total: 12,322 km; paved: 1,286 km; unpaved: 11,036 km (2004 est.). Waterways: mainly on Lake Tanganyika (2004).

Ports and harbors: Bujumbura.

Airports: 8 (2004 est.).

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