Violence across Africa is hurting African development, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye has warned.
He said conflict is disrupting farming, education and economic growth.
Ndayishimiye spoke at the Alamein Africa Forum in Egypt. African leaders and business figures attended the meeting.
Africanews, citing AFP, reported on his remarks.
Violence affects farming and schools
Ndayishimiye said insecurity makes development much harder.
“Amid insecurity, no farmer goes to the fields anymore. No child goes to school anymore,” he said.
He added that institutions also struggle to plan for the future.
The Burundian president highlighted Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“We deplore that violence persists on our continent,” he said.
He described the situation in Sudan and DR Congo as an “unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe”.
Both countries have faced prolonged conflict. As a result, many civilians have been displaced and economic activity has suffered.
Sisi calls for responsible development
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also spoke at the forum.
He said African countries have a right to develop and use their natural resources.
However, he said countries should also consider the interests of their neighbours.
“There is no doubt that every state has the right to development and to benefit from its natural resources,” Sisi said.
At the same time, he said this right should be exercised responsibly.
“Our common interests are greater than our differences,” he added.
His comments come amid a long-running dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
Egypt has raised concerns about the dam and its Nile water supplies.
Forum focuses on African development
The Alamein Africa Forum is bringing together political and business leaders from across Africa.
The meeting covers several major economic issues.
These include trade, agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare and mining. Technology and renewable energy are also on the agenda.
The forum is expected to become a biennial event under an African Union mandate.
Ndayishimiye used the meeting to stress the importance of peace for African development.
His message was simple: countries cannot easily build their economies while conflict disrupts schools, farms and institutions.