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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
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