African Leaders Stresses Conflicts, UN Reform in AU Water Summit Ends

(MENAFN) African leaders concluded a two-day summit on Sunday, calling for urgent action to end conflicts across the continent and pressing for reform of the UN Security Council, even as the summit’s original focus on water issues was overshadowed by security crises.

Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, newly elected chair of the African Union (AU), emphasized that restoring stability is the bloc’s top priority. “We need to silence the guns. We need peace on this continent. We need stability on this continent, and we have a program for that,” he said at a closing press briefing.

AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf highlighted the link between development and stability, warning that access to essential services, particularly water and sanitation, is critical for long-term peace. “Without equitable access to water and sanitation, we cannot talk of public health or inclusive development or sustainable prosperity for our people,” he said.

AU Peace and Security Commissioner Bankole Adeoye drew attention to the ongoing crisis in Sudan, describing it as “the worst humanitarian crisis globally.” He noted that despite the conflict, which began in April 2023, its impact on regional stability has received little international attention. He called for a “permanent, unconditional, inclusive, immediate ceasefire” as the AU’s primary goal.

The summit also reaffirmed Africa’s longstanding call for global governance reform, with leaders stressing that the UN Security Council must better reflect contemporary geopolitical realities to address the continent’s challenges effectively.

The gathering underscored the AU’s view that peace, security, and equitable access to basic services like water are inseparable, framing stability as a prerequisite for sustainable development.

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