National sovereignty and non-interference must be respected within UN, Burundi tells Assembly

Mounting the podium of the General Assembly, Burundi today stressed the importance of national sovereignty within the United Nations.

“We can never say it too often: Burundi believes that non-interference in the internal affairs of other States, respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of States, constitute the pillars of a balanced international system in conformity with the dictates of the UN Charter. These principles are non-negotiable,” Foreign Minister Alain Aimé Nyamitwe told the Assembly’s 72nd annual general debate.

“We call attention to certain States, who even in the 21st century, believe they have the right to interfere in the internal affairs of other States, especially developing countries,” he emphasized.

He broached many of the crises and conflicts facing Africa, lamented the new wave of racism arising from the recent flood of refugees and migrants, and criticized European sanctions against his country which he said impeded its reaching its development goals.

Full statement (in French) available here [2]