Water must never be used as a weapon of war

EACH time I attend Cairo Water Week, I am reminded that water is more than just a resource, but the lifeblood that connects us as humanity.

- DAVID MAHLOBO.

BLYDE River Canyon, Mpumalanga. South Africa stands ready to work hand in hand with every African nation to secure our shared water future. Our rivers do not recognise borders, and neither should our cooperation, says the writer.

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This year marks the fourth time that I have had the privilege to participate in this gathering, and each time, I leave with a deeper sense of urgency and hope.

In a world shaken by conflict, climate change and inequality, water remains one of the few elements that can truly unite rather than divide us. Yet, it is painful to witness how, in some parts of the world, water is being manipulated and used to assert control, or worse, as a weapon of war.

At the 8th Cairo Water Week, taking place from October 12 to 16 in Cairo, Egypt, I felt compelled to make one message clear, that water must never be weaponised. It must never be used to punish, to divide, or to advance political or military objectives.

Water should remain a symbol of peace, life and cooperation, and nota tool of destruction. This year’s Cairo Water Week is themed “Innovative Solutions for Climate Resilience and Water Sustainability” It brings together global leaders, scientists, policy makers and development partners to craft solutions for one of the most pressing issues of our time, and that is how to manage our water resources in an age of climate uncertainty.