ADDIS ABABA – The African Union Summit in Addis Ababa this week will centre on “Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation”, a theme that comes as several African countries, including South Africa, grapple with worsening water shortages.
African heads of state and senior government officials will meet in Ethiopia to discuss water security, alongside broader continental priorities such as peace, economic development and regional integration.
The theme resonates strongly in South Africa, where communities continue to face recurring water outages.
Water Crisis Raises Urgency
In recent days, parts of Gauteng and other provinces have reported disruptions in water supply. Areas in Johannesburg, including Melville, Brixton and Parktown West, staged protests over ongoing outages and what residents described as poor communication from Johannesburg Water and Rand Water.
Frustrated residents say water disruptions have become too frequent.
“Water is a way of life,” one resident told SABC. “They need to take this crisis more seriously.”
The AU’s focus on sustainable water management therefore carries immediate relevance for South Africa, where infrastructure strain and supply challenges continue to affect households and businesses.
Although water and sanitation headline the summit, leaders will also address peace, security and economic cooperation across the continent.
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South Africa’s Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola, said the country stands ready to contribute to multilateral efforts.
“We are looking forward to a productive year strengthening multilateral platforms,” Lamola said. South Africa currently serves as interim chair of SADC, a role that includes advancing regional integration and supporting peace efforts.
Lamola highlighted ongoing instability in parts of Africa, including eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, where displacement remains a concern. He stressed that SADC must continue engaging on peacekeeping efforts and constitutional transitions in countries such as Madagascar.
He also noted that the United Nations faces significant financial challenges following funding changes by major contributors. Despite this, Lamola emphasised the need for continued engagement with the global body.
“The UN remains the world’s premier multilateral institution,” he said. “All member states must help it discharge its mandate effectively.”
Meanwhile, outgoing UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to deliver what could be his final address to the African Union Summit before stepping down later this year.
As leaders gather in Addis Ababa, the spotlight will remain firmly on water security. For many Africans, particularly South Africans facing dry taps, the summit’s theme underscores the urgency of building resilient water systems across the continent.
