NTAHANGWA, March 24 (ABP) – The Burundian Head Of State and current chairperson of the African Union (AU), Evariste Ndayishimiye, returned to the country this Monday, March 23, 2026, from Colombia, where he participated in the high-level forum of the community of Latin American and Caribbean States-Africa (CELAC-Africa), held from March 18 to 21, 2026 in Bogotá.
The deputy spokesperson for the President of the Republic, Sébastien Ntahongendera, indicated that this forum brought together heads of state and government from CELAC as well as those from African countries, with the aim of strengthening South-South cooperation, boosting economic exchanges, addressing the rise of injustices at the international level, and also confronting certain forms of hegemony imposed by some powers.
He specified that the activities of this forum were organized in two components: panels and plenary sessions. During these proceedings, discussions focused on various themes, including energy as well as issues related to the fight against famine, among others.
On this occasion, leading speakers, including the Vice President of Colombia and the President of Brazil, welcomed the holding of this summit, describing it as a strategic opportunity to rethink the future of their respective nations, particularly in economic terms, Ntahongendera indicated.
In his address, the Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, also current chairperson of the AU, reflected on the painful past shared by the peoples of Africa and Latin America, calling for pragmatic and mutually beneficial cooperation. He also advocated for greater valorization of the immense potential of these two regions, with a view to promoting sustainable and inclusive development.
Still in Bogotá, President Ndayishimiye held talks with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, as part of a strategic exchange marking a decisive turning point in redefining relations between Africa and Colombia. The two heads of state stressed the need to move beyond the weight of their shared history and transform it into concrete opportunities through ambitious agreements in the economic and cultural fields, the deputy spokesperson specified.
For his part, Mr. Gustavo acknowledged that ties with the African continent have long suffered from a lack of dynamism, notably due to historical factors and internal claims related to populations of African origin, Ntahongendera reported.
The Burundian head of state also held talks with the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two leaders discussed strategies for the overall development of the African continent. The Brazilian president emphasized the importance of implementing major structural projects focused on infrastructure and industrialization in order to support Africa’s development. For his part, Evariste Ndayishimiye called for strengthening partnerships, particularly in the most promising sectors.
On the sidelines of the closing ceremonies of the CELAC-Africa high-level forum, the president of the Republic of Burundi also met with his Uruguayan counterpart, Yamandú Orsi. Their discussions focused on the forthcoming establishment of a joint ministerial commission tasked with identifying structural projects and revitalizing bilateral relations. The two leaders reaffirmed their willingness to elevate their cooperation to a strategic level, according to the same source.
Furthermore, the Burundian head of state granted an audience to the AU special envoy to Guinea-Bissau, Patrice Trovaoda. This meeting made it possible to address the progress of the transition process in this West African country, particularly the mechanisms underway aimed at ensuring the organization of inclusive, credible, and transparent elections.
Finally, in a forward-looking dynamic, Colombia is showing its ambition to revive and strengthen its relations with the African continent. In this regard, the organization of a CELAC-Africa summit is being considered, with the objective of building a strong partnership based on common interests.