The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation participates in the Celebration of the 247th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America in Bujumbura.

On thursday july 06, 2023, the Embassy of the United States of America in Burundi celebrated the 247^th anniversary of the independence of the United States of America. The ceremonies began with the national hymn of Burundi followed by that of the United States of America.

According to the Ambassador of the United States of America to Burundi Mrs. Mélanie Harris Higgins, Americans celebrate the national holiday on June 04 of each year by commemorating the declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776. She made a brief venture into the past to remind us that the history of nations is far from fixed, that it evolves to the rhythm of time and events.

In her speech, Ambassador Higgins welcomed the historic ties of cooperation and friendship that bind Burundi and his country the United States. She said that the US Government notes the recent changes made by the State of Burundi which are likely to promote a revitalization of relations and partnerships. Ambassador Higgins is personally committed to working to strengthen the relationship that has existed for several decades between these two countries. For her, the new changes driven by the Government of Burundi have created the conditions for establishing the new partnerships. The United States Government has already spoken out in favor of increasing its assistance through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

In her speech, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation His Excellency Ambassador Albert SHINGIRO wished a happy National Day to the Ambassador, to the American administration as well as to all his compatriots. Minister Albert SHINGIRO indicated that history shows that the relations between the colonies and their metropolis had become too tense and that the conflict took a violent form. In such circumstances, the aspirations of the people were quick to express themselves clearly, including the Declaration of Independence of July 4, 1776. He highlighted this fine example for the countries that had to live through the same colonial past and affirmed that the necessary resources do indeed exist to take this path and achieve the desired objectives.

Minister Albert SHINGIRO pointed out that Burundi remains fully convinced that on the horizon of its 237th anniversary it will have risen to the current level of development of the United States of America thanks to determination and hard work. Already the country is immersed in the Burundi vision, emerging country in 2040 and developed country in 2060, date on which Burundi will celebrate its 98 years of independence with this new status of developed country.

According to Minister Albert SHINGIRO, the Independence of the United States of America reminds the meaning of a legitimate fight of peoples and nations to enjoy their rights to sovereignty, dignity, freedom and the burden of responsibilities required on leaders – at all levels – in the face of the increasingly complex challenges currently irritating the world: the threat to individual and collective security, the multifaceted crises with often serious political, economic and social origins and consequences, the climate change issues, etc.

At the level of bilateral cooperation, Minister Albert SHINGIRO proudly affirmed that Burundi and the United States of America maintain good relations of friendship, brotherhood and cooperation and congratulated himself on the relevance of the programs at the center cooperation dating back more than 60 years, of which the signing on February 11, 2022, of an Assistance Agreement to facilitate a partnership aimed at the sustainable development of Burundi for an envelope of 400 million US dollars is a better illustration of it.

It should be noted that the Ambassador of the United States of America to Burundi Mrs. Mélanie Harris Higgins is at the end of this mandate in Burundi and Minister Albert SHINGIRO wished her every success in her next mission.