African Leaders Prioritize Peace and UN Reform as AU Water Summit Concludes
Ceasefires and Stability Take Precedence
African leaders concluded a two-day African Union (AU) summit on Sunday, emphasizing urgent efforts to end conflicts across the continent and renewing calls for reform of the UN Security Council. The meeting, originally focused on water security and sanitation, shifted attention to security crises overshadowing development priorities.
Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the newly elected AU chair, stressed that restoring stability remains the organization’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 during the closing press briefing.
AU Commission Chair Mahmoud Ali Youssouf highlighted the connection between development and stability, noting that access to essential services such as water and sanitation is crucial 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.
Sudan Crisis: Immediate Ceasefire Urged
AU Peace and Security Commissioner Bankole Adeoye described the conflict in Sudan as “the worst humanitarian crisis globally,” warning that it has received little international attention despite its scale. The crisis, which began in April 2023, continues to threaten regional stability. Adeoye called for a “permanent, unconditional, inclusive, immediate ceasefire” in Sudan.
He also reiterated the AU’s longstanding call for global governance reform, insisting that the UN Security Council better reflect today’s geopolitical realities. “The UN Security Council must reflect the world of today,” Adeoye said. He reaffirmed the AU’s policy of “zero tolerance” for unconstitutional changes of government.
Water Security Takes a Backseat
Although the summit was officially organized under the theme of water security and sanitation, discussions in its final hours largely focused on peace, security, and governance challenges facing Africa. Leaders underscored that achieving sustainable development depends on resolving ongoing conflicts and restoring stability across the continent.
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