Legal System of Burundi

Burundi is located in Africa. It is geographically situated in central africa, east of the democratic republic of the congo, west of tanzania. The country achieved independence on 1 july 1962 (from un trusteeship under belgian administration). The capital is Gitega (political capital), Bujumbura (commercial capital).

Government Overview

Government Type: presidential republic Chief of State: President Evariste NDAYISHIMIYE (since 18 June 2020) Head of Government: Prime Minister Nestor NTAHONTUYE (since 5 August 2025)               


 
Cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by president Administrative Divisions: 5 provinces: Buhumuza, Bujumbura, Burunga, Butanyerera, Gitega National Holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962) Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Legal System

The legal system of Burundi is described as mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law International Law: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; withdrew from ICCt in October 2017

Constitutional Framework

The constitution has the following history: several previous, ratified by referendum 28 February 2005 Amendment Process: proposed by the president of the republic after consultation with the government or by absolute majority support of the membership in both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least two-thirds majority vote by the Senate membership and at least four-fifths majority vote by the National Assembly; the president can opt to submit amendment bills to a referendum; constitutional articles including those on national unity, the secularity of Burundi, its democratic form of government, and its sovereignty cannot be amended

Judicial Branch

Highest Court(s): Supreme Court (consists of 9 judges and organized into judicial, administrative, and cassation chambers); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 members) Judge Selection: Supreme Court judges nominated by the Judicial Service Commission, a 15-member body of judicial and legal profession officials), appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate; judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate and serve 6-year nonrenewable terms Subordinate Courts: Courts of Appeal; County Courts; Courts of Residence; Martial Court; Commercial Court

Legislative Branch

The legislative structure consists of bicameral Lower Chamber: National Assembly (Inama Nshingamateka) (111 (all directly elected) seats) Electoral System (Lower Chamber): proportional representation Upper Chamber: Senate (Inama Nkenguzamateka)

Citizenship and Suffrage

Citizenship by Birth: no Citizenship by Descent: the father must be a citizen of Burundi Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal

Historical Background

Established in the 1600s, the Burundi Kingdom has had borders similar to those of modern Burundi since the 1800s. Burundi’s two major ethnic groups, the majority Hutu and minority Tutsi, share a common language and culture and largely lived in peaceful cohabitation under Tutsi monarchs in pre-colonial Burundi. Regional, class, and clan distinctions contributed to social status in the Burundi Kingdom, yielding a complex class structure.

This article provides a summary of the legal system and governmental structure of Burundi based on the CIA World Factbook. The Factbook is a public domain publication of the United States Central Intelligence Agency.