<item><hi format=bold>Independence:</hi> 1 July 1962 (from UN trusteeship under Belgian administration)
<item><hi format=bold>National holiday:</hi> Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
<item><hi format=bold>Constitution:</hi> 13 March 1992; provides for establishment of a plural political system
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on German and Belgian civil codes and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> universal adult at age NA
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
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<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Interim President Sylvestre NTIBANTUNGANYA, Speaker of the National Assembly, succeeded deceased President NTARYAMIRA in early April 1994 with a mandate for at least 90 days; on 11 July 1994 the mandate was extended by the Constitutional Court for three more months at the request of 12 political parties locked in negotiations on a new broad-based government; elections will be held later in 1994
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> President Melchior NDADAYE died in the military coup of 21 October 1993 and was succeeded on 5 February 1994 by President Cyprien NTARYAMIRA, who was killed in a mysterious airplane explosion on 6 April 1994
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Anatole KANYENKIKO (since 7 February 1994); chosen by the president
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers ; appointed by prime minister
<item><hi format=bold>National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale):</hi> elections last held 29 June 1993 (next to be held NA): results—FRODEBU 71%, UPRONA 21.4%; seats—(81 total) FRODIBU 65, UPRONA 16; other parties won too small shares of the vote to win seats in the assembly
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<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> The National Unity Charter outlining the principles for constitutional government was adopted by a national referendum on 5 February 1991
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Unity for National Progress (UPRONA); Burundi Democratic Front (FRODEBU); Organization of the People of Burundi (RBP); Socialist Party of Burundi (PSB); People's Reconciliation Party (PRP)
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> opposition parties legalized in March 1992; Burundi African Alliance for the Salvation (ABASA); Rally for Democracy and Economic and Social Development (RADDES)
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> divided by a white diagonal cross into red panels (top and bottom) and green panels (hoist side and outer 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)