Supreme Court of Burundi
Highest civil and criminal court of Burundi
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Supreme Court (French: Cour Suprême) is the highest civil and criminal court in Burundi. It has nine members, including the Court President, who are nominated by the Judicial Service Commission and appointed by the President of the Republic after the approval of the Senate.[2] The court's president is referred to as the Chief Justice.
- As a Court of Cassation1962
- As Supreme Court February 25, 2005
| Supreme Court of Burundi | |
|---|---|
| Sentare ntahinyuzwa (Kirundi) Cour Suprême du Burundi (French) | |
Coat of arms of Burundi | |
| Established |
|
| Jurisdiction | Burundi |
| Location | Bujumbura, Burundi |
| Composition method | Appointed by President on the proposal of the Minister of Justice, on the advice of the High Council of the Judiciary and after approval by the Senate. |
| Authorised by | Constitution of Burundi Title VIII Chapter III |
| Judge term length | Five years, non renewable |
| Number of positions | 15 |
| President | |
| Currently | Amb. Gamaliel Nkurunziza[1] |
| Since | November 19, 2024 |
The composition of the Supreme Court was established as a Court of Cassation with the independence of Burundi in 1962.[3] Its current form is regulated by the Law of 25 February 2005.[4] It is composed of three chambers which are known collectively as the United Chambers (chambres réunies):
- Judicial Chamber (chambre judiciaire);
- Administrative Chamber (chambre administrative);
- Chamber of Cassation (chambre de cassation).
The Judicial Chamber is sub-divided into two sections: a Section of First Instance (section du premier degré) and an Appellate Section (section d'appel).[4] Attached is the National Department of Public Prosecutions.[5]
The Supreme Court may sit together with the Constitutional Court constituting the High Court of Justice which has special powers, such as the ability to try an incumbent president or government ministers for treason.[6]
History
Article 94 of the 1962 constitution of the Kingdom of Burundi provided for a Supreme Court. The constitution gave the court sole competence over criminal cases against government ministers and members of the Parliament, as well as questions of constitutionality of laws and disputes between different branches of government.[7] The court was given competence to retry decisions made by the judiciary before independence.[8] An Accounts Court was brought into service as a special chamber of the Supreme Court in May 1975 to try cases of government corruption.[9]
List of chief justices
This list of all chief justices (incomplete for some years):
| Name | Took office | Left office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| André Masunzu | 1963 | 1963 | [10] |
| Alois Malorerwa | 1964 | 1964 | [3] |
| Joseph Bukera | 1967 | 1974 | [11][3] |
| Gaétan Rugambara | 1974 | 1976 | [12][13] |
| Vincent Ndikumasabo | 1977 | 1977 | [14] |
| Pasteur Nzinahora | 1978 | 1987 | [15]
[Juvénal Njinyari listed as President in 1981 docket[16]] |
| Gérard Buyoya | 1988 | 1989 | [17][18] |
| Thérence Sinunguruza | 1990 | 1990 | [10] |
| Timothée Bisumbagutira | 1995 | 1995 | [19][20] |
| Juvénal Njinyari | 1995 | 1995 | [10] |
| Salvator Seromba | 1995 | 1998 | [21][22][23][24]
[Adrien Nyankiye listed as President in 1996 docket[25]] |
| Ladislas Ndayisenga | 1998 | 1998 | [10] |
| Timothée Bisumbagutira | 1999 | 1999 | [19][20] |
| Adrien Nyankiye | 2000 | 2005 | [26][27][28][29] |
| Ancilla Ntakaburimvo | 2006 | 2011 | [30][31][32][33] |
| Jean-Marie Ngendanzi | 2011 | 2011 | [34][35] |
| Emmanuel Jenje | 2012 | 2014 | [36][37] |
| Sylvestre Mpawenayo | 2015 | 2016 | [38][39][40] |
| François Nkezabahizi | 2016 | 2019 | [41][42] |
| Emmanuel Gateretse | 28 Octobre 2019 | 18 November 2024 | [43] |
| Amb. Gamaliel Nkurunziza | 19 November 2024 | Present | [44] |