Persistent conflict is preventing millions of Africans from farming, attending school and planning for the future, Burundi’s President Évariste Ndayishimiye has warned at a summit in Egypt.
Speaking at the Alamein Africa Forum, Ndayishimiye said insecurity was not only a threat to lives but also a major obstacle to the continent’s economic and social development.
“Amid insecurity, no farmer goes to the fields anymore. No child goes to school anymore. No institution plans development for its country,” he said, pointing to the continuing crises in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sudan.
Conflict Is Undermining Africa’s Progress
Ndayishimiye’s warning reflects a challenge facing several African regions, where armed conflict and instability have disrupted communities and weakened essential services.
In areas affected by violence, farmers may be unable to access their land, children can lose access to education, and governments face difficulties delivering healthcare and building infrastructure.
The Burundian leader described the situation in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo as an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe.
His remarks come as African countries continue to face insecurity in the Great Lakes region, the Sahel and parts of the Horn of Africa.
Egypt Calls for Cooperation Between African States
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also addressed the summit, urging African countries to respect one another’s rights while pursuing development.
He said every country has the right to develop and benefit from its natural resources, but that this should be done responsibly and without harming other states.
His comments come amid a long-running disagreement between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and its potential impact on Nile water resources.
A Forum Focused on Africa’s Future
The Alamein Africa Forum brought together African leaders and business representatives to discuss issues affecting the continent’s development.
Its agenda includes infrastructure, trade, agriculture, healthcare, mining, technology and renewable energy. The forum is expected to become a biennial event under an African Union mandate.
The discussions come at a time when African leaders are under pressure to turn the continent’s resources and economic potential into improvements in people’s daily lives.
Ndayishimiye Calls for Peace as a Foundation for Development
The Burundian president’s message was clear: development cannot advance where violence continues to disrupt everyday life.
In his remarks, he connected insecurity with the loss of education, agricultural activity and long-term planning. His warning adds to wider calls for stronger African-led efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts.
For communities living through war, the consequences are immediate. For the continent as a whole, prolonged instability can delay investment, weaken institutions and make sustainable development harder to achieve.
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