In a forceful address to the United Nations, Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye stressed the need to reshape international relations so that Africa can take its rightful place in global decision-making. Ndayishimiye, whose country holds the African Union chairmanship this year, said the time has come for Africa to move from the position of observer to that of a central partner and contributor to international policy.

“We are here to convey a firm conviction: Africa must be heard more, must be better represented, and must be more closely involved in the decisions shaping the future of our planet,” the Burundian President said, arguing that inclusion and meaningful participation can build bridges of trust between Africa and the rest of the world.

On reform of the United Nations system, he rejected secondary roles for the continent. “Africa intends to be a full actor, not merely an observer invited to applaud decisions it did not help shape,” he said, renewing the call for permanent African representation on the UN Security Council to reflect the continent’s demographic and political weight.

On regional security, Ndayishimiye directly linked geopolitical stability to economic progress, stressing that “peace remains the essential condition for development”. He said Burundi is closely following security developments in the Great Lakes region, Sudan, the Sahel and Somalia.

He renewed the call for the principle of “African solutions to African problems”, urging stronger cooperation between the African Union and the United Nations to reinforce conflict prevention, mediation and peaceful settlement.

On economic issues, the Burundian President called for an end to Africa’s exclusion from the formulation of global trade policies, noting that the continent comprises 55 countries and more than 1.4 billion people. On behalf of the African Union, he demanded fair representation within the World Trade Organization, declaring: “This is not a favour we are asking for; it is justice we are demanding.”