Burundi
 

1959 - 1961?                        1961 -  1 Jul 1962                 1 Jul  1962 - 29 Nov 1966               29 Nov 1966 - 28 Jun 1967                     Adopted 28 Jun 1967    Map of Burundi Hear National Anthem "Burundi bwacu" (Beloved Burundi) Text of National Anthem Adopted Jun 1962 Constitution (28 Feb 2005; in French) --------------------------- Former Constitution (13 Mar 1992 - 6 Jun 1998) Capital: Bujumbura (Usumbura c.1680-1962) Currency: Burundi Franc (BIF) National Holiday: 1 Jul (1962) Independence Day Population: 8,691,005 (2008) GDP: $3.10 billion (2008) Exports: $47 million (2008) Imports: $307 million (2008) Ethnic groups: Hutu (Bantu) 80.9%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15.6%, Lingala 1.6%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%, other 0.9% (incl. Europeans 3,000 and  South Asians 2,000) (2000) Total Armed Forces: 50,500 (2006) Merchant marine: None (2008) Religions: Roman Catholic 57.2%, Protestant 19.5%, unaffiliated Christian 14.7%, Muslim 1.4%, traditional beliefs 6.7%, other 0.5% (2000) International Organizations/Treaties: ACP, AfDB, APM, AU, BTWC (signatory), CEEAC, CEPGL, COMESA, CTBT (signatory), CWC, EAC,  FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, ICSID, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (subscriber), ITU, ITUC, KP, MIGA, NAM, NPT, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCLOS (signatory), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNFCC, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO Burundi Index Chronology 14..                       Karemera dynasty begins rule. ....                       Baganwa dynasty replaces Karemera. c.1680                     Burundi kingdom founded. Aug 1884                   German protectorate.  1 Jul 1890                Part of German East Africa (effective German                              control only since 1896)(see under Tanzania). 24 May 1903                Forced to recognize German authority.  6 Jul 1916                Belgian occupation. 20 Jul 1922                League of Nations mandate (Ruanda-Urundi) under                              Belgium. 13 Dec 1946                United Nations trust territory under Belgium. 21 Dec 1961                Autonomy  1 Jul 1962                Independence from Belgium (Kingdom of Burundi). 28 Nov 1966                Republic of Burundi Martyazo (1972) Ruanda-Urundi (1892-1962)

Kings (title Mwami)¹

c.1675 - c.1705            Ntare III Rushatsi

c.1705 - c.1739            Mwezi III Ndagushimiye

c.1739 - c.1765            Mutaga III Senyamwiza              (d. c.1765)             

c.1765 - c.1795            Mwambutsa III Syarushambo Butama   (d. c.1795)

c.1795 - c.1852            Ntare IV Rutaganzwa Rugamba        (d. c.1852)

1852 - 21 Aug 1908         Mwezi IV Gisabo¹                   (b. 1840 - d. 1908)

c.1852 - 185.              Ndivarije -Regent

c.1860 -  9 May 1905       Macoonco (in rebellion)²           (b. 18.. - d. 1905)

c.1860 - Apr 1906          Cyilima (in rebellion)²

1908 - 30 Nov 1915         Mutaga IV Mbikije                  (b. 1903 - d. 1915)

1908 - 1915                Regency

                           - Ndirikumutima (f)(1st time)      (d. 1958)

                           - Ntarugera (1st time)             (d. 1921)

                           - Nduwumwe (1st time)              (d. 1958)

16 Dec 1915 -  8 Jul 1966  Mwambutsa IV Bangiriceng           (b. 1912 - d. 1977)

1915 - 28 Aug 1929         Regency

                           - Ngezamayo (to 1915)

                           - Ndirikumutama (f)(2nd time)      (s.a.)

                              (to 1917) 

                           - Ntarugera (2nd time)(to 1921)    (s.a.)

                           - Nduwumwe (2nd time)(to 19..)     (s.a.)

                           - Karabona (1917 to 1921)          (d. af.1929)

                           - Mbanzabuyabo (1922 to 1929)

                           - Baranyanka (1921 to 1925)        (b. c.1890 - d. 1960/70)

 8 Jul 1966 -  1 Sep 1966  Prince Charles Ndizeye (acting)    (b. 1947 - d. 1972)

                             (Head of State)

 1 Sep 1966 - 28 Nov 1966  Ntare V Ndizeye (Charles Ndizeye)  (s.a.)

Presidents

28 Nov 1966 -  1 Nov 1976  Michel Micombero (Tutsi)           (b. 1940 - d. 1983)  Mil/UPRONA

 2 Nov 1976 -  3 Sep 1987  Jean-Baptiste Bagaza (Tutsi)       (b. 1946)            Mil/UPRONA

                             (chairman Supreme Revolutionary Council to 10 Nov 1976)

 3 Sep 1987 - 10 Jul 1993  Pierre Buyoya (1st time) (Tutsi)   (b. 1949)            Mil/UPRONA

                             (chairman Military Committee of National Salvation to 9 Sep 1987)

10 Jul 1993 - 21 Oct 1993  Melchior Ndadaye (Hutu)            (b. 1953 - d. 1993)  FRODEBU 

21 Oct 1993 - 27 Oct 1993  François Ngeze (Tutsi)                                  Mil

                             (chairman Committee of Public Salvation, in rebellion)

27 Oct 1993 -  5 Feb 1994  Sylvie Kinigi (f) (acting) (Tutsi) (b. 1953)            UPRONA

 5 Feb 1994 -  6 Apr 1994  Cyprien Ntaryamira (Hutu)          (b. 1955 - d. 1994)  FRODEBU 

 6 Apr 1994 - 25 Jul 1996  Sylvestre Ntibantunganya (Hutu)    (b. 1956)            FRODEBU 

                             (acting to 1 Oct 1994)

25 Jul 1996 - 30 Apr 2003  Pierre Buyoya (2nd time) (Tutsi)   (s.a.)               UPRONA

                             (provisional to 11 Jun 1998)

30 Apr 2003 - 26 Aug 2005  Domitien Ndayizeye (Hutu)          (b. 1953)            FRODEBU 

26 Aug 2005 -              Pierre Nkurunziza (Hutu)           (b. 1964)            CNDD-FDD

 

Prime ministers

26 Jan 1961 - 28 Sep 1961  Joseph Cimpaye (Hutu)              (b. 1932 - d. 1972)  UPP

28 Sep 1961 - 13 Oct 1961  Prince Louis Rwagasore (Tutsi)     (b. 1932 - d. 1961)  UPRONA

20 Oct 1961 - 10 Jun 1963  André Muhirwa (Tutsi)              (b. 1920 - d. 2003)  UPRONA

18 Jun 1963 -  6 Apr 1964  Pierre Ngendandumwe (Hutu)         (b. 1930 - d. 1965)  UPRONA

                             (1st time)

 6 Apr 1964 -  7 Jan 1965  Albin Nyamoya (1st time)(Hutu)     (b. 1924 - d. 2001)  UPRONA

 7 Jan 1965 - 15 Jan 1965  Pierre Ngendandumwe (Hutu)         (s.a.)               UPRONA

                             (2nd time)

15 Jan 1965 - 26 Jan 1965  Pié Masumbuko (acting)             (b. 1931)            UPRONA

26 Jan 1965 - 30 Sep 1965  Joseph Bamina (Hutu)               (b. 1925 - d. 1965)  UPRONA

13 Oct 1965 -  8 Jul 1966  Léopold Biha (Tutsi)               (b. 1919 - d. 2003)  UPRONA

11 Jul 1966 - 28 Nov 1966  Michel Micombero (Tutsi)           (s.a.)               UPRONA

15 Jul 1972 -  5 Jun 1973  Albin Nyamoya (2nd time) (Hutu)    (s.a.)               UPRONA

12 Nov 1976 - 13 Oct 1978  Édouard Nzambimana (Tutsi)         (b. 1945)            UPRONA

13 Oct 1978 - 19 Oct 1988  Post abolished

19 Oct 1988 - 10 Jul 1993  Adrien Sibomana (Hutu)             (b. 1953)            UPRONA

10 Jul 1993 -  7 Feb 1994  Sylvie Kinigi (f)(Tutsi)           (s.a.)               UPRONA

 7 Feb 1994 - 22 Feb 1995  Anatole Kanyenkiko (Tutsi)         (b. 1952)            UPRONA 

22 Feb 1995 - 31 Jul 1996  Antoine Nduwayo (Tutsi)            (b. 1942)            UPRONA 

31 Jul 1996 - 12 Jun 1998  Pascal-Firmin Ndimira (Hutu)       (b. 1956)            UPRONA

12 Jun 1998                Post abolished

 

 ¹The names of the kings followed a fixed cycle: Ntare, Mwezi, Mutaga, Mwambutsa. Traditionally it was thought that there were four full cycles, but today it is believed there were only two.

 ²On 6 Jun 1903 the German authorities imposed on Mwezi Gisabo the independence of the two chiefs Macoonco and Cyilima. On 8 Oct 1905 the Germans recognized Mwezi Gisabo as "Sultan" of Burundi and its only supreme authority. 

Note: Ethnic groups, which play a preeminent role in politics, are listed in parentheses following names i.e. (Hutu) or (Tutsi). All the kings (mwami) were ethnic Tutsi.

Territorial Disputes: Burundi and Rwanda dispute sections of border on the Akanyaru/Kanyaru and the Kagera/Nyabarongo rivers, which have changed course since the 1960s, when the boundary was delimited; cross-border conflicts among Tutsi, Hutu, other ethnic groups, associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces persist in the Great Lakes region .

Party abbreviations: CNDD-FDD = Conseil National pour la Défense des Démocratie-Forces pour la Défense de Démocratie (National Council for the Defense of Democracy-Forces for the Defense of Democracy); FRODEBU = Front pour la Démocratie au Burundi (Front for the Democracy in Burundi, Hutu emancipatory); UPRONA = Union pour le Progrès National (Union of National Progress, authoritarian, est.1957, from 1962 mainly ethnic Tutsi, dissolved 1987-90); Mil = Military;
- Former party: PALIPEHUTU = Parti Libération du Peuple Hutu (Party for the Liberation of Hutu People, Hutu emancipatory); PDC = Parti Démocrate Chrétien (Christian Democratic Party, conservative); UPP = Union des Partis Populaires (Union of People's Parties)

President
 1 May 1972 -  9 May 1972  Antoine Serukwavu? (Hutu)          (d. 19..)

1892                       German expedition reaches Ruanda.
1896                       Military station was established at Kajaga in Urundi
                             (in 1897, relocated to Usumbura); part of the military
                             district of Ujiji (or Tangnyika-Kivu).
1899                       Military district of Usumbura (Ruanda-Urundi) formed within
                             German East Africa (see Tanzania).
1906                       Becomes a military residency.
15 Nov 1907                Divided into two civil residencies: Ruanda and Urundi.
19 May 1916/18 Sep 1916    Belgian conquest of parts of German East Africa; Nyaza (19 May
                             1916), Ruanda (17 Jun 1916), Urundi (6 Jul 1916), Usui (29 Jul
                             1916 - Mar 1921), Ujiji and Kigoma (20 Jul 1916 [Ujiji to 22 Mar
                             1921]), and Tabora region (18 Sep 1916 - Feb 1917).
30 May 1919                Orts-Milner Convention with Britain; only Ruanda and Urundi
                             remain under Belgian administration.
20 Jul 1922                League of Nations Mandate of Ruanda-Urundi.
 1 Mar 1926 - 30 Jun 1960  Administrative union with Belgian Congo.
13 Dec 1946                United Nations Trust Territory of Ruanda-Urundi.
 1 Jul 1962                Independence of both territories.

Commanders of the Military District of Ujiji
1896 - 189.                Hans von Ramsay                    (b. 1862 - d. 1940)
189. - 1901                Heinrich von Bethe
Commanders of the Military District of Usumbura
1899 - 1902                Heinrich von Bethe 
1902 - 1904                Robert "Oskar" von Beringe         (b. 1865 - d. 1940)
1904 - 1906                Werner von Grawert                 (b. 18.. - d. 1918)
Resident of Urundi and Ruanda
1906 - 15 Nov 1907         Werner von Grawert                 (s.a.)
Military Commanders
- Commanders of the Northern brigade -
(operating in territories south of lake Victoria, including Northern Ruanda)
1916                       Philippe François Joseph Molitor   (b. 1869 - d. 1952)
1916 -  1917               Armand Christophe Huyghé           (b. 1871 - d. 1944) 
- Commander of the Southern Brigade -
(operating in territories east of the Kivu and Tanganyika lakes,
including Southern Ruanda and Urundi) 
1916 -  1917               Frederik Voldemar Olsen            (b. 1877 - d. 1962)
Military Governor of the Belgian Occupied East African Territories
1916 - 22 Nov 1916         Charles Henry Marie Ernest         (b. 1867 - d. 1947)
                             Tombeur, baron Tombeur de Tabora 
Royal Commissioners for Occupied East Africa
22 Nov 1916 - May 1919     Justin Prudent François Marie      (b. 1862 - d. 1924)
                             Malfeyt
May 1919 - 20 Oct 1924     Alfred Frédéric Gérard Marzorati   (b. 1881 - d. 1955)
Nov 1921 - Jul 1922        Pierre Marie Joseph Ryckmans       (b. 1891 - d. 1959)
                             (acting) 
Royal Commissioner for Ruanda-Urundi
20 Oct 1924 - 28 Aug 1926  Alfred Frédéric Gérard Marzorati   (s.a.)
15 Nov 1925 - 13 Dec 1926  Pierre Marie Joseph Ryckmans       (s.a.)
                             (acting) 
Governors (also deputy governors-general of the Belgian Congo)
28 Aug 1926 -  5 Feb 1929  Alfred Frédéric Gérard Marzorati   (s.a.)
 5 Feb 1929 -  4 Jul 1930  Louis Joseph Postiaux (acting)     (b. 1882 - d. 1948)
 4 Jul 1930 - 18 Aug 1932  Charles Henri Joseph Voisin        (b. 1887 - d. 1942)
18 Aug 1932 -  5 Jul 1946  Eugène Jacques Pierre Louis        (b. 1888 - d. 1958)
                             Jungers
 5 Jul 1946 - Aug 1949     Maurice Simon (acting to 1947)
Aug 1949 -  1 Jan 1952     Léon Antoine Marie Pétillon        (b. 1903 - d. 1996)
 1 Jan 1952 -  1 Mar 1955  Alfred Maria Josephus Ghislencus
                             Claeys-Bouuaert
 1 Mar 1955 - 1960         Jean-Paul Harroy                   (b. 1909 - d. 1995)
Resident-general 
1960 - 11 Jan 1962         Jean-Paul Harroy                   (s.a.)

Commander of the Occupation Force
1916 - 1917                Gustave Eugène Henri Stevens       (b. 1866 - d. 1928)
Head of the Civil Administration
191. - 19..                Nigel Edward Frank Corbett         (b. 1876 - d. 19..)