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EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Angele Niyuhire
Embassy: 2233 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 212, Washington, DC
20007
Telephone:202-342-2574
Fax: 202-342-2578

US Diplomatic Representation:
Chief of mission: Pamela Slutz
Embassy: Avenue des Etats-Unis, Bujumbura
Mailing address: B. P. 1720, Bujumbura
Telephone: [257] (2) 23454
FAX: [257] (2) 22926

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Burundi

U.S. Embassy Web Site in Burundi


FOREIGN RELATIONS

Burundi's relations with its neighbors have often been affected by security concerns. The Great Lakes is home to a number of illegal armed groups. Hundreds of thousands of Burundian refugees have at various times crossed into Rwanda, Tanzania, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. These Burundians fled to neighboring countries during the civil war, hundreds of thousands of whom sought refuge in Tanzania. Most refugees have returned or opted to settle permanently in countries of asylum. Burundi maintains close relations with all neighbors in the Great Lakes region, including Rwanda, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of the Congo. In reaffirming Burundi's commitment to regional peacekeeping and allegiance to the African Union, the government recently deployed troops to participate in the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) peacekeeping operation.

Burundi is a member of various international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the World Trade Organization, the African Union, the African Development Bank, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), the free-tariff zone of eastern and southern Africa, and the East Africa Community (EAC).

U.S.-BURUNDI RELATIONS
U.S. Government goals in Burundi are to help the people of Burundi realize a just and lasting peace based upon democratic principles and sustainable economic development. The United States encourages political stability, ongoing democratic reforms, political openness, respect for human rights, and economic development. In the long term, the United States seeks to strengthen the process of internal reconciliation and democratization within all the states of the region to promote a stable, democratic community of nations that will work toward mutual social, economic, and security interests on the continent. As the situation in Burundi normalizes, the United States seeks to facilitate its integration into regional and international markets, as a means to promote sustainable economic development.

Principal U.S. Officials
Ambassador--Pamela Slutz
Deputy Chief of Mission--Judy Buelow
Political Officers--Carson Relitz-Rocker
Economic Officer--Mark Carr
Management Officer--Anthony Kleiber
Consular Officer--Jaclyn Cole-Adkins
Regional Security Officer--Christopher Bakken
General Service Officer--Chelsea Bakken

The U.S. Embassy is located at Avenue des Etats Unis (Boite Postale 1720), Bujumbura (tel. [257] 22-34-54).




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Burundi check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving TBA
Currency (BIF) Burundi Franc
Electrical 220 Volts
Telephones Country Code 257, City Code, Bujumbura 21+4D, Muyinga 30+4D, Bubanza 40+4D



Burundi is a small African country in the heart of the continent. Burundi is bordered by Congo (formerly Zaire) in the west, by Tanzania in the south and by Rwanda in the north.

The lake Tanganyika separates Burundi from Congo in the west. The capital Bujumbura is situated by the lake Tanganyika at the north end of the lake. The areas close to the lake are lowlands with an equatorial hot climate. The highlands close to the border to Rwanda have a pleasant climate. The country has great natural beauty. Especially the highlands offer very beautiful sceneries.

Burundi is a French speaking country. It is a former Belgian colony.

Burundi has been suffering from similar ethnic conflicts like Rwanda. In Burundi too there two major tribes: tutsis and hutus. The tutsis have traditionally dominated the army and the higher positions in the society. The antagonism between the ethnic groups has occasionally lead to violence. During the genocide in Rwanda tensions were high in Burundi too. Burundi narrowly escaped the same fate.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco........................1000 cigarettes or 1000 grams of tobacco products

Liquor............................1 litre of alcohol

Perfume........................reasonable amount

Gifts/souvenirs...............no duty free allowance

Currency.......................must be declared on arrival

Cameras.......................should be declared on arrival

Agriculture items............refer to consulate



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