Burundi has invited a team from the South African Development Community (SADC) to evaluate its readiness to join the organization.
The SADC is seen as one of the more stable and attractive regional economic areas in Africa. Being admitted to SADC would greatly improve Burundi’s reputation in the global community and possibly increase its chances of attracting not only international aid but foreign investment.
Burundi applied for admission into the SADC in 2017. SADC members rejected the application because of the country’s unstable political situation.
Burundi was hit by months of political unrest and violence in 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced he was running for a third term.
Burundi’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ezechiel Nibigira now says the country is politically stable but there are concerns that Burundi’s rocky relationship with Rwanda and Uganda could thwart the country’s efforts to get into the SADC this time.
If admitted, Burundi will become the second East African Community member state to join the SADC after Tanzania.
