Administrative divisions: 10 prefectures (prefectures, singular -
prefecture in French; plural - NA, singular - prefegitura in
Kinyarwanda); Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi,
Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali, Ruhengeri
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN
trusteeship)
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
Constitution: 18 June 1991
Legal system: 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
Suffrage: NA years of age; universal adult
Executive branch:
chief of state: President Pasteur BIZIMUNGU (since 19 July 1994);
installed by force by the Tutsi Rwandan Patriotic Front; no date set
for elections; president is normally elected for a five-year term by
universal suffrage; Vice President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (since NA)
head of government: Prime Minister Celestin RWIGEMA (since NA
September 1995) was appointed by the president
cabinet: Council of Ministers was appointed by the president
Legislative branch: unicameral
National Assembly (Assemblee Nationale): sworn in on 25 November
1994; seats - (70 total) RPF 19, MDR 13, PSD 13, PL 13, PDC 6, PSR
2, PDI 2, other 2
Judicial branch: Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of
Cassation and the Council of State in joint session
Political parties and leaders: significant parties include:
Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), Alexis KANYARENGWE, chairman;
Democratic Republican Movement (MDR); Liberal Party (PL); Democratic
and Socialist Party (PSD); Christian Democratic Party (PDC); Islamic
Democratic Party (PDI); Rwandan Socialist Party (PSR); National
Movement for Democracy and Development (MRND), former ruling party