Burundi strives for cohesion within the African Union
Faced with geopolitical pressures and internal divisions, the Burundian presidency aims to mend the fabric of African solidarity.
His Excellency Willy Nyamitwe, Ambassador of Burundi to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the African Union (AU) and United Nations Economic Commission for Africa shared his views.
Amid geopolitical uncertainties and transactional approaches, what is the AU’s role and what does it mean for Burundi as the current chair?
The current chairship affirms African solutions for African problems. However, there are structural constraints. On one hand, endogenous factors – internal divisions, identity-based rifts and the inability to build continental solidarity – weaken African cohesion. The crises in virtually all regions of Africa illustrate this persistent fragmentation, even within states. On the other hand, exogenously, many conflicts are fuelled or exploited from outside, notably through flows of arms and funding. Furthermore, the continent’s wealth attracts external interests that exploit these vulnerabilities.
The Burundian presidency aims to strengthen African cohesion, promote mutual acceptance among people and generate momentum around Agenda 2063. The challenge is to move from a fragmented Africa to a strategically united one.
What are Burundi’s priorities and its main presidency projects?
As indicated by the acceptance speech by His Excellency Évariste Ndayishimiye at the recent AU summit, three priorities exist. First is the year’s theme dedicated to water and sanitation, a cross-cutting issue for development and human security. Secondly are peace and security, with a focus on silencing the guns. As long as insecurity, terrorism and conflict persist, development will remain compromised.
The third priority is the transformation of the continent through innovation, skills development and the empowerment of young people and women. This initiative is linked directly to the vision of an African revival.
Reservations of certain states do not amount to rejection: they are a desire to improve coordination
These priorities do not overshadow those of Agenda 2063, which includes climate change, the African Continental Free Trade Continental Area, free movement of goods and people and health. The approach is, therefore, both targeted and systemic.
Given the year’s theme, how can water resources become drivers of development and peace and how can the AU contribute?
Water is key to stability. If mismanaged, it can lead to conflict; if well governed, it becomes a lever for regional integration. Burundi, a country rich in water resources, contrasts with many African countries that face aridity.
The answer lies in resource pooling and complementarity, much as with agricultural trade among regions. Water must be viewed as a strategic continental asset requiring mechanisms for shared governance. This approach would enable a potentially contentious resource to drive cooperation and development.
With the candidacy of former president Macky Sall for the post of United Nations Secretary General having revealed procedural tensions within the AU, what lessons does Burundi intend to draw?
This situation has been perceived as a sign of fragmentation, whereas it actually reflects the vitality of dialogue and expression within the AU. The reactions observed do not call into question the legitimacy of promoting strong African candidates, but underscore the importance of a fully inclusive, transparent process in line with established procedures.
The use of the silent procedure has also raised questions about the form of and timeframes for consultation. That some member states have reservations should be interpreted not as a principled rejection, but as a collective desire to improve coordination and ensure shared ownership of initiatives undertaken for Africa.
Suspended member states contribute financially to the AU while being excluded from decision-making
For Burundi, in its capacity as chair, this episode is an opportunity for institutional learning. It highlights the need to further consolidate consultation mechanisms, ensuring more systematic upstream consultations and better circulation of information.
The AU is operating amid increasing externalisation of conflict resolution. How can it reaffirm its leadership in security crises management?
Although external partners play a role, the growing externalisation of crisis management weakens African leadership and may, in some cases, prolong instability. Crucial is the mechanism for suspending states from AU activities following unconstitutional changes of government. This approach, while normative, is counterproductive, as it severs dialogue.
Paradoxically, these states continue to contribute financially to the AU while being excluded from decision-making. This situation calls for reform to prioritise engagement and dialogue. The AU must adopt a pragmatic, context-specific approach focused on the causes of crises, particularly terrorism.
How can coordination between the AU and its member states be strengthened to defend African interests?
A unified African voice is key. Lack of coordination often leads to divergent positions, which weaken the continent’s influence. Despite challenges, African states have progressed by consulting with one another in advance. To put forward common and coherent positions, it is essential to strengthen coordination, particularly between the Peace and Security Council and African representatives within international bodies.
Without financial autonomy, political sovereignty remains a theoretical concept for the AU
With about 50% of its operational budget coming from external partners, what avenues are available to strengthen the AU’s internal financing?
Fifty percent is an understatement. Financial dependence remains a major obstacle to sovereignty. While staff salaries are now covered largely by member states’ contributions (between 90% and 96%), programmes remain overwhelmingly funded by external partners, sometimes up to 90%.
This situation limits the organisation’s strategic autonomy. Mechanisms exist, notably the 0.2% levy on imports and the involvement of the private sector, but their implementation remains incomplete. Without financial autonomy, political sovereignty remains theoretical. To gain independence and credibility, the AU must strengthen its internal financing capacities urgently.
In his inauguration speech, President Ndayishimiye emphasised the importance of youth. What initiatives can be expected under this presidency?
Young people are a central pillar of Burundi’s strategy. Ndayishimiye ― known as the‘friend of youth’ ― is the AU champion for the ‘Youth, peace and security’ agenda, with its focus on innovation, skills and empowerment.
The continental dialogue on youth, peace and security, scheduled for Bujumbura from 10 to 12 August 2026, will be a major gathering bringing together initiatives for young people and women. It will assess the implementation of previous decisions and strengthen their impact.
The stakes are strategic: a youth without prospects is an agent of instability, while a trained and integrated youth accelerates development. Investing in youth is a direct investment in continental peace and security.
