<hdr>The World Factbook 1994: Rwanda<nl>Government</hdr><body>
<list>
<item><hi format=bold>Names:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional long form:</hi> Republic of Rwanda
<item>• <hi format=ital>conventional short form:</hi> Rwanda
<item>• <hi format=ital>local long form:</hi> Republika y'u Rwanda
<item>• <hi format=ital>local short form:</hi> Rwanda
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Digraph:</hi> RW
<item><hi format=bold>Type:</hi> republic; presidential system
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> a new, interim government formed in August 1992 to last until peace accord; political parties are working to form a multiethical broad-based transitonal government to lead them to elections in 1995
<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> 18 June 1991
<item><hi format=bold>Legal system:</hi> based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
<item><hi format=bold>Suffrage:</hi> universal adult at age NA
<item><hi format=bold>Executive branch:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of state:</hi> Interim President Dr. Theodore SINDIKUBWABO (since 8 April 1994, following the death of President Juvenal HABYARIMANA on 6 April 1994) the last election was held 19 December 1988 (next planned for 1995); results—the late President Juvenal HABYARIMANA was reelected
<item>• <hi format=ital>head of government:</hi> Prime Minister Jean KAMBANDA, appointed by President SINDIKUBWABWO 8 April 1994 following the assassination of Agatha UWILINGIYIMANA on 7 April 1994
<item>• <hi format=ital>cabinet:</hi> Council of Ministers; appointed by the president
<item><hi format=bold>National Development Council:</hi> (Conseil National de Developpement) elections last held 19 December 1988 (new elections to be held in 1995); results—MRND was the only party; seats—(70 total) MRND 70
<item><hi format=bold>Judicial branch:</hi> Constitutional Court (consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session)
<item><hi format=bold>Political parties and leaders:</hi> Republican National Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND); significant independent parties include: Democratic Republican Movement (MDR); Liberal Party (PL); Democratic and Socialist Party (PSD); Coalition for the Defense of the Republic (CDR); Party for Democracy in Rwanda (PADER); Christian Democratic Party (PDL)
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> formerly a one-party state, Rwanda legalized independent parties in mid-1991; since then, at least 10 new political parties have registered
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Other political or pressure groups:</hi> Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF), Alexis KANYARENGWE, Chairman (since 1990); Rwanda Patriotic Army (RPA), the RPF military wing, Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME, commander
<item>• <hi format=ital>chief of mission:</hi> (vacant)
<item>• <hi format=ital>embassy:</hi> Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali
<item>• <hi format=ital>mailing address:</hi> B. P. 28, Kigali
<item>• <hi format=ital>telephone:</hi> [250] 75601 through 75603
<item>• <hi format=ital>FAX:</hi> [250] 72128
<item>• <hi format=ital>note:</hi> embassy closed on 10 April 1994 and personnel withdrawn because of severe civil strife and consequent danger for foreign nationals
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Flag:</hi> three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow band; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia; similar to the flag of Guinea, which has a plain yellow band