The office of the presidency was established when Michel Micombero declared Burundi a republic on 28 November 1966.

[4] The powers of the president currently derive from the 2005 constitution implemented as a result of the 2000 Arusha Accords after the Burundian Civil War.

The president has the power to appoint military commanders, ambassadors, magistrates, provincial governors and members of various national councils.

The president represents Burundi in international affairs by signing and ratifying its treaties.

[6] In 1966, Michel Micombero became a rallying force for opposition to king Ntare V of Burundi.

The constitution guaranteed Micombero's presidency and established a one-party state led by the Union for National Progress (UPRONA).

[2] After the 1987 Burundian coup d'état, Pierre Buyoya seized the post of the presidency and implemented the 1992 constitution.

The president is tasked with representing the republic of Burundi, ensuring the integrity of the constitution, and executing the functions of the state and its laws.

The president has the power to direct the agenda of the government and provides executive instructions for the two vice-presidents through presidential decree.

The president has the power to organize special sessions and may assemble the government yearly to discuss Burundi's budget.

The president leads the Superior Council of the Magistracy and appoints magistrates with approval from the Senate.

The president requires approval from the Supreme Council of the Magistracy and Senate to appoint judges to the Supreme Court and requires approval from the Senate to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court.

The president has the duty of informing the National Assembly and Senate if use of the military is authorized and must organize a special session for this purpose if the government is not already meeting.

The president is explicitly bound by the constitution to follow international military law.

Additionally, candidates must be valid voters and must not be facing penalty according to electoral law.

Burundi's population, endowed with universal suffrage, elects the president by an absolute majority vote in two rounds.

If a candidate occupies a private sector office, they are barred from further business action immediately upon declaration of the election results.

Grounds for impeachment include "grave fault, abuse of power, corruption"[6] and high treason.