constituteproject.org PDF generated: 18 Apr 2016, 15:29 SOLEMNLY ADOPT THIS CONSTITUTION, WHICH IS THE FUNDAMENTAL LAW OF THE REPUBLIC OF BURUNDI. TITLE I: OF THE STATE AND OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE 1. OF THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES • Type of government envisioned Article 1 Burundi is an independent, sovereign, secular, democratic, and unitary Republic[,] respecting its ethnic and religious diversity. Article 2 The national territory of Burundi is inalienable and indivisible. • Subsidiary unit government Article 3 Burundi is subdivided into provinces, communes, zones and collines [literally: hills; local administrative collectivities], and all other subdivisions specified by the law. Their organization and functioning are established by the law. It can modify the limits and the number of them. Article 4 The status and the reestablishment of the monarchy may be the object of a referendum. Any party militating peacefully in favor of the restoration of the monarchy has the right to function. • Official or national languages Article 5 The national language is Kirundi. The official languages are Kirundi and all other languages determined by the law. All the legislative texts must have their original version in Kirundi. Article 6 The principle of the Republic of Burundi is the Government of the People, by the People and for the People. Article 7 The national sovereignty belongs to the people who exercise it, either directly by way [voie] of referendum, or indirectly through their representatives. No fraction of the People, no individual may arrogate its exercise. Burundi 2005 Page 5