Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has called for Africa’s permanent inclusion on the Security Council, saying it would build trust between Africa and other continents.

The call adds voice to long-standing demands for UN Security Council reform, which currently has five permanent members—the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and Russia—all of whom hold veto powers.

Mr Ndayishimiye, in his address to the world leaders at the ongoing General Debate of the 81st session of the General Assembly at UN headquarters in New York, highlighted his country’s position as the chair of the African Union for 2026.

“We are here to convey a conviction: Africa must be listened to more, it must be better represented and more closely involved in the decisions that shape the future of our planet,” he stated.

The Human Rights Council is used to target specific countries, he warned, adding that the mandate of the special rapporteur on Burundi’s human rights situation was established without consultation with the government.

Burundi respects human rights and fights impunity, and Africa intends to be a full-fledged player, not a mere observer, called upon to applaud decisions in which it has not been involved, according to him.

He reiterated the call to include a country from the continent as a permanent member of the UN Security Council.

(NAN)