In an interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO during his courtesy visit of May 26, 2021, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General for Central Africa Mr. François Louncény Fall let explode his great appreciation for the decision of Burundi to hold this 51st meeting of the UNSAC, face-to-face. He also announced that the Organization he represents appreciates and commends the Government of Burundi for the efforts made to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic.
On the humanitarian level, the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Central Africa has indicated that they have noted with regret the upwelling of Lake Tanganyika but that they are ready to fight together against climate change and their harmful effects.
Regarding humanitarian issues, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation announced that Burundi is welcoming Burundian refugees who are returning in mass from neighboring countries such as Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo , Tanzania, etc. However, the issue of refugees is an international one. To do this, Burundi is seeking support from regional and international partners in order to support the integration of returning Burundians and those who receive them.
The Minister also took this opportunity to announce that some Burundians have moved internally, following the upwelling of Lake Tanganyika caused by climate change. He took this opportunity to appeal to Burundi’s partners in the regional and international community, in order to support Burundi and to provide support to these Burundians in internal displacement, within the framework of facing the challenge of climate change which is shared.
Minister Albert SHINGIRO ended the discussions by making a comment on the management of the COVID-19 pandemic in Burundi. He informed the Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Central Africa that the Government of Burundi has made the choice between the economy and the health of the population. The Government having understood that health is not recoverable once it is gone but that the economy can always be restored, it has chosen to prioritize the health of the population, by organizing massive campaigns of free COVID-19 tests. Thus, Burundi is the least affected country in the region, but COVID-19 also exists in Burundi. The Government continues to take care of the population and to raise awareness for the observation of barrier measures against this pandemic.
