Official name

République du Burundi

Form of state

Unitary republic

Legal system

Based on Belgian law; a new constitution was adopted in 2005

National legislature

National Assembly elected in July 2010, with 106 members; Senate elected by communal councillors in July 2010

National elections

Following elections in 2010, the next National Assembly and Senate elections will be held in July 2015

Head of state

President elected in June 2010 for a second five-year term by popular vote; next election is scheduled for June 2015.

National government

Appointed in August 2010

Main political parties

Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie-Forces pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDD-FDD); Front pour la démocratie au Burundi (Frodebu); Union pour le progrès national (Uprona); Mouvement pour la réhabilitation des citoyens-Rurenzangemero (MRC-Rurenzangemero); Parti pour le redressement national (Parena); other parties include: Conseil national pour la défense de la démocratie (CNDD); Forces nationales de libération (FNL); Inkinzo; Parti du peuple (PP); Parti pour la libération du peuple Hutu (Palipehutu); Parti pour la socio-démocratie (PSD); Parti pour la réconciliation du peuple (PRP); Rassemblement pour la démocratie et le développement économique et social (Raddes); Rassemblement pour le peuple du Burundi (RPB)

President: Pierre Nkurunziza (CNDD-FDD)

First vice-president: Thérence Sinunguruza (Uprona)

Second vice-president: Gervais Rufyikiri (CNDD-FDD)

Key ministers

Agriculture: Odette Kayitesi (CNDD-FDD)

Civil service & social security: Anonciata Sendazirasa (CNDD-FDD)

Commerce & industry: Victoire Ndikumana (Uprona)

Defence: Pontien Gaciyubwenge (military)

East African Community affairs: Hafsa Mossi (CNDD-FDD)

Education & scientific research: Julien Nimubona (Uprona)

Energy & mines: Moïse Bucumi (CNDD-FDD)

Finance: Clotilde Nizigama (CNDD-FDD)

Foreign affairs & co-operation: Augustin Nsanze (CNDD-FDD)

Good governance & state inspection: Jean-Baptiste Gahimbare (Frodebu-Nyakuri)

Health: Sabine Ntakarutimana (CNDD-FDD)

Interior: Edouard Nduwimana (CNDD-FDD)

Justice: Ancilla Ntakaburimvo (neutral)

National solidarity: Immaculée Nahayo (CNDD-FDD)

Public security: Alain-Guillaume Bunyoni (police)

Telecommunications & information: Concilie Nibigara (Uprona)

Transport & public works: Saidi Kibeya (CNDD-FDD)

Central bank governor

Gaspard Sindayigaya