2012 Edition

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 government of President Pierre NKURUNZIZA, who was reelected in 2010, continues to face many political and economic challenges.

Area

27,830 sq km 25,680 sq km 2,150 sq km

total

27,830 sq km

water

2,150 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

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)

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Lake Tanganyika 772 m Heha 2,670 m

highest point

Heha 2,670 m

lowest point

Lake Tanganyika 772 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea

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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%) 38 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

38 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.29 cu km/yr (17%/6%/77%)

Geographic coordinates

3 30 S, 30 00 E

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

Irrigated land

230 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

974 km Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km

border countries

Democratic Republic of the Congo 233 km, Rwanda 290 km, Tanzania 451 km

total

974 km

Land use

35.57% 13.12% 51.31% (2005)

arable land

35.57%

other

51.31% (2005)

permanent crops

13.12%

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

flooding; landslides; drought

Natural resources

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

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

3.6 cu km (1987)

Age structure

45.8% (male 2,431,155/ female 2,405,176) 51.7% (male 2,694,891/ female 2,765,234) 2.5% (male 104,391/ female 156,412) (2012 est.)

0-14 years

45.8% (male 2,431,155/ female 2,405,176)

15-64 years

51.7% (male 2,694,891/ female 2,765,234)

65 years and over

2.5% (male 104,391/ female 156,412) (2012 est.)

Birth rate

40.58 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

38.9% (2000)

Death rate

9.36 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)

Education expenditures

8.3% of GDP (2009)

Ethnic groups

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

Health expenditures

13.1% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.3% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

15,000 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

180,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.73 beds/1,000 population (2006)

Infant mortality rate

60.32 deaths/1,000 live births 64.85 deaths/1,000 live births 55.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

female

55.67 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)

total

60.32 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

59.24 years 57.52 years 61.02 years (2012 est.)

female

61.02 years (2012 est.)

total population

59.24 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 67.2% 72.9% 61.8% (2010 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

61.8% (2010 est.)

male

72.9%

total population

67.2%

Major cities - population

BUJUMBURA (capital) 455,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria schistosomiasis rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

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

Maternal mortality rate

800 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

17 years 16.6 years 17.3 years (2012 est.)

female

17.3 years (2012 est.)

male

16.6 years

total

17 years

Nationality

Burundian(s) Burundian

adjective

Burundian

noun

Burundian(s)

Net migration rate

-0.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)

Physicians density

0.03 physicians/1,000 population (2004)

Population

10,557,259 (July 2012 est.) 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

Population growth rate

3.104% (2012 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 49% of population rural: 46% of population total: 46% of population urban: 51% of population rural: 54% of population total: 54% of population

rural

54% of population

total

54% of population

urban

51% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

10 years 9 years 7 years (2009)

female

7 years (2009)

male

9 years

total

10 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.98 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

6.08 children born/woman (2012 est.)

Urbanization

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

rate of urbanization

4.9% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

11% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Bujumbura 3 22 S, 29 21 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

3 22 S, 29 21 E

name

Bujumbura

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

ratified by popular referendum 28 February 2005

Country name

Republic of Burundi Burundi Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi Burundi Urundi

conventional long form

Republic of Burundi

conventional short form

Burundi

former

Urundi

local long form

Republique du Burundi/Republika y'u Burundi

local short form

Burundi

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador [vacant]; Charge d'Affaires Samuel R. WATSON Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura B. P. 1720, Bujumbura [257] 223454 [257] 222926

chief of mission

Ambassador [vacant]; Charge d'Affaires Samuel R. WATSON

embassy

Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura

FAX

[257] 222926

mailing address

B. P. 1720, Bujumbura

telephone

[257] 223454

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Angele NIYUHIRE Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 [1] (202) 342-2574 [1] (202) 342-2578

chancery

Suite 212, 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007

chief of mission

Ambassador Angele NIYUHIRE

FAX

[1] (202) 342-2578

telephone

[1] (202) 342-2574

Executive branch

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 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) Council of Ministers appointed by president 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 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

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by president

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

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

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

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)

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

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 abov

Hutu, Twa, Tutsi, as well as the three elements in the national motto: unity, work, progress

Government type

republic

Independence

1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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 (correspondent), ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; Constitutional Court; High Court of Justice (composed of the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Court)

Legal system

mixed legal system of Belgian civil law and customary law

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) last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015) 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

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

elections

last held on 23 July 2010 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

"Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi) Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO adopted 1962

lyrics/music

Jean-Baptiste NTAHOKAJA/Marc BARENGAYABO

name

"Burundi Bwacu" (Our Beloved Burundi)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties and leaders

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]; Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA [Bonaventure NIYOYANKANA] 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]

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]

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]; Union for National Progress (Union pour le Progress Nationale) or UPRONA [Bonaventure NIYOYANKANA]

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) Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized)

other

Hutu and Tutsi militias (loosely organized)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, cotton, tea, corn, sorghum, sweet potatoes, bananas, cassava (manioc); beef, milk, hides

Budget

$473.2 million $558.5 million (2012 est.)

expenditures

$558.5 million (2012 est.)

revenues

$473.2 million

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.4% of GDP (2012 est.)

Central bank discount rate

11.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 10% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17% (31 December 2012 est.) 13.33% (31 December 2011 est.)

Current account balance

-$337.4 million (2012 est.) -$253.4 million (2011 est.)

Debt - external

$231.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $322.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

42.4 (1998)

Economy - overview

Burundi is a landlocked, resource-poor country with an underdeveloped manufacturing sector. The economy is predominantly agricultural; agriculture 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. 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 2006-12. 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 remain heavily dependent on aid from bilateral and multilateral donors - foreign aid represents 42% of Burundi's national income, the second highest rate in Sub-Saharan Africa. Burundi joined the East African Community in 2009, which should boost Burundi's regional trade ties, and also in 2009 received $700 million in debt relief. Government corruption is hindering the development of a healthy private sector as companies seek to navigate an environment with ever changing rules.

Exchange rates

Burundi francs (BIF) per US dollar - 1,439.5 (2012 est.) 1,261.07 (2011 est.) 1,230.8 (2010 est.) 1,230.18 (2009) 1,198 (2008)

Exports

$107.4 million (2012 est.) $90.8 million (2011 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, tea, sugar, cotton, hides

Exports - partners

Germany 15.6%, China 10.5%, Sweden 9.5%, Belgium 9%, Pakistan 7.4%, US 7.4%, France 4.3% (2011)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition by sector

31.1% 21.3% 47.7% (2012 est.)

agriculture

31.1%

industry

21.3%

services

47.7% (2012 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$600 (2012 est.) $600 (2011 est.) $600 (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

4.2% (2012 est.) 4.2% (2011 est.) 3.8% (2010 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.53 billion (2012 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.489 billion (2012 est.) $5.268 billion (2011 est.) $5.057 billion (2010 est.) data are in 2012 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

4.1% 28% (2006)

highest 10%

28% (2006)

lowest 10%

4.1%

Imports

$569.7 million (2012 est.) $536.6 million (2011 est.)

Imports - commodities

capital goods, petroleum products, foodstuffs

Imports - partners

Saudi Arabia 17.1%, Belgium 8.3%, China 7.6%, Uganda 7.5%, Kenya 6.6%, Zambia 6.5%, US 6.3%, France 5.1%, India 4.1% (2011)

Industrial production growth rate

7% (2010 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

16% (2012 est.) 9.7% (2011 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

21.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Labor force

4.245 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

93.6% 2.3% 4.1% (2002 est.)

agriculture

93.6%

industry

2.3%

services

4.1% (2002 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

68% (2002 est.)

Public debt

72.3% of GDP (2012 est.) 80.4% of GDP (2011 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$335.8 million (31 December 2012 est.) $295.5 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of broad money

$519 million (31 December 2012 est.) $465.4 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$642.7 million (31 December 2012 est.) $576.3 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$372.4 million (31 December 2012 est.) $333.9 million (31 December 2011 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.7% of GDP (2012 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

527,800 Mt (2010 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)

Electricity - consumption

198.1 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

1.9% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

98.1% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

80 million kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

52,000 kW (2009 est.)

Electricity - production

127 million kWh (2009 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

2,290 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

1,334 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.)

Broadcast media

state-controlled La Radiodiffusion et Television Nationale de Burundi (RTNB) operates the lone TV station and the only national radio network; about 10 privately-owned radio stations; transmissions of several international broadcasters are available in Bujumbura (2007)

Internet country code

.bi

Internet hosts

229 (2012)

Internet users

157,800 (2009)

Telephone system

sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at roughly 20 per 100 persons country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

domestic

telephone density one of the lowest in the world; fixed-line connections stand at well less than 1 per 100 persons; mobile-cellular usage is increasing but remains at roughly 20 per 100 persons

general assessment

sparse system of open-wire, radiotelephone communications, and low-capacity microwave radio relays

international

country code - 257; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) (2011)

Telephones - main lines in use

30,000 (2011)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.915 million (2011)

Airports

7 (2012)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2012)

over 3,047 m

1 (2012)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2012)

914 to 1,523 m

4

total

6

under 914 m

2 (2012)

Heliports

1 (2012)

Ports and terminals

Bujumbura

Roadways

12,322 km 1,286 km 11,036 km (2004)

total

12,322 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) (2011)

Manpower available for military service

2,182,327 2,202,125 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,202,125 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,182,327

Manpower fit for military service

1,398,769 1,481,417 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,481,417 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,398,769

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

117,956 116,956 (2010 est.)

female

116,956 (2010 est.)

male

117,956

Military branches

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

National Defense Forces (Forces de Defense Nationale, FDN)

Army (includes naval detachment, Air Wing, and Coast Guard), National Gendarmerie (2011)

Military expenditures

5.9% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

military service is voluntary; the armed forces law of 31 December 2004 did not specify a minimum age for enlistment, but the government claimed that no one younger than 18 was being recruited; mandatory retirement age 45 (enlisted), 50 (NCOs), and 55 (officers) (2011)

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

Refugees and internally displaced persons

35,213 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2011) 78,796 (the majority are ethnic Tutsi displaced by inter-communal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; no new displacements since 2008 when the last rebel group laid down its arms) (2011)

IDPs

78,796 (the majority are ethnic Tutsi displaced by inter-communal violence that broke out after the 1993 coup and fighting between government forces and rebel groups; no new displacements since 2008 when the last rebel group laid down its arms) (2011)

refugees (country of origin)

35,213 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2011)