Shakhbut bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, Minister of State in the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs, made a short visit to the Republic of Burundi, which lasted about two hours, where he met with the Burundian President nominated to lead the African Union.
During the meeting, which was held in the capital, Bujumbura, the two sides reviewed bilateral relations between the UAE and Burundi and stressed the importance of enhancing joint cooperation in the political, economic and development fields.
For his part, the Burundian President appreciated the role played by the UAE and its balanced positions towards regional issues.
The meeting dealt with a number of regional files, most notably the situation in Sudan, where the two parties stressed the need to support efforts aimed at achieving peace and stability and preserving the unity and sovereignty of countries.
The two sides also affirmed their commitment to strengthening dialogue as a means of resolving disputes and joint coordination on African and Arab issues, which contributes to supporting the endeavors of the African Union.
This quick visit reflects the influential role of the UAE in Africa, as Abu Dhabi seeks to strengthen its presence on the continent by building direct partnerships with African countries and presenting itself as a supporter of the African Union’s efforts to address regional crises and strengthening its position as a reliable partner in international and regional issues, especially in light of the Burundian President’s candidacy to lead the African Union in its next session.
