Burundi President
Burundi (06/05)
In 1991, Buyoya approved a constitution that provided for a president, multi-ethnic government, and a parliament. Burundi's first Hutu president, Melchior Ndadaye, of the Hutu-dominated FRODEBU Party, was elected in 1993. He was assassinated by factions of the Tutsi-dominated armed forces in October 1993. The country was then plunged into civil war, which killed tens of thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands by the time the FRODEBU government regained control and elected Cyprien Ntaryamira president in January 1994. Nonetheless, the security situation continued to deteriorate. In April 1994, President Ntayamira and Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana died in a plane crash. This act marked the beginning of the Rwandan genocide, while in Burundi, the death of Ntaryamira exacerbated the violence and unrest. Sylvestre Ntibantunganya was installed as president for a 4-year term on April 8, but the security situation further deteriorated. The influx of hundreds of thousand ... [Read More]
Burundi
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Burundi is a small, inland African nation that entered a period of instability following the assassination of its first democratically elected president in 1993. The three-year transitional government established on November 1, 2001, has been extended to allow for democratic elections to be held in 2005. Fighting between the government and rebels occurs frequently. Facilities for tourism, particularly outside the capital, are limited. Read the Department of State Background Notes on Burundi for additional information. ... [Read More]
Burundi: The Transition of The Presidency in Burundi
The United States commends today's ceremony of investiture, marking the transition of the Office of the President in the Republic of Burundi from President Pierre Buyoya to President Domitien Ndayizeye. The transition of the Presidency in Burundi is a significant achievement on Burundi's road to a peace, as the three-year transition to a representative, democratically elected government reaches its mid-point. ... [Read More]
Burundi
Citizens do not have the right to change their government. The Transition Constitution, which established executive, legislative, and judicial government branches, makes no specific provision for elections; however, the Arusha Accord obliges the Transitional Government to hold communal and legislative elections in time for a newly elected National Assembly to select the post-transitional president before November 1, 2004. Under the Arusha Accord, all future presidents are required to be elected by direct ballot. Following a 1996 coup, the Buyoya military regime suspended the 1992 Constitution and 1994 Convention of Government, dissolved the National Assembly, and banned political parties. Approximately 3 weeks after the coup, President Buyoya announced the restoration of the National Assembly and political parties with certain restrictions. In 1998, multiparty peace talks to end the civil conflict began. In 2000, the Arusha Peace and Reconciliati ... [Read More]
U.S. Embassy, Nigeria: Crossroads
The Editor President George Bush welcoming President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal to the White House. [Read More]
Burundi
In 2000, the Arusha Accord, which provided for a 3-year transitional period to end the country's civil war, was signed and ratified by the National Assembly. In 2001, a Transitional Constitution was adopted, providing for power to be shared between the Tutsi minority, which has ruled the country for most of its history, and the Hutu majority. In November 2001, the transition period began, and President Buyoya was President, and Domitien Ndayizeye, then secretary general of FRODEBU, was Vice President. ... [Read More]
Burundi: Cease-fire Agreement with the Forces for the Defense of Democracy
We commend the dedication of the Chairman of the regional effort, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, the hospitality of the host of the talks President Benjamin Mkapa of Tanzania, the assistance provided by President El Hadj Omar Bongo of Gabon, and the facilitation of South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma with strong support from President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa. We must also remember the work of former Presidents Julius Nyerere and Nelson Mandela who constructed the framework of what became the Arusha accords, upon which this agreement is based. The United States firmly supports further regional efforts to bring a conclusive end to fighting in Burundi. ... [Read More]
Press Releases
1111--06/30/05 President Discusses G8 Summit, Progress in Africa; President George W. Bush; Meyer Auditorium at Freer Gallery; Washington, DC ... 1111--10/06/03 President Bush, Kenyan President Kibaki Discuss State Visit ... 1111--10/05/03 President Bush and President Kibaki review the troops. ... [Read More]
President’s FY 2006 International Affairs Budget Request
At their meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh with President Mubarak and King Abdullah, both Prime Minister Sharon and President Abbas called this a time of opportunity must not be lost. And President Bush has invited both leaders to Washington in the spring. President Bush also has announced an additional $350 million to help the Palestinians build infrastructure and sustain the reform process over the next two years. Of the $350 million, $150 million is included in the FY 2006 budget request and $200 is included in the FY 2005 supplemental. ... [Read More]
DOS/International Information Programs: Public Diplomacy Calendar
11 Currently Underway Mar. 25-Sept. 25 2005 World Exposition, Aichi, Japan 11 July 6 - 8 G-8 Summit, Gleneagles, Scotland 11111 This Week 11 July 8 - 13 ... [Read More]
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