By: Abdoulie John
Hundreds of participants from across Africa and beyond gathered on Thursday as the biennial NGOs Forum kicked off, placing a sharp spotlight on the continent’s escalating water and sanitation crisis exacerbated by climate change. The three-day event, running from May 7 to 9, 2026, at the Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center in Bijilo, 11 kilometers from Banjul, aims to mobilize civil society input ahead of the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR).
In her opening address, Commissioner Litha Musyimi Ogana, Chairperson of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations/Communities and Minorities in Africa, underscored the fundamental human right to clean water and sanitation. She expressed deep concern that millions of Africans continue to struggle for access to these basic necessities, describing the situation as a persistent violation of dignity and health.
Solicitor General Hussein Thomasi echoed these sentiments, noting that the forum was convening at a “critical moment.” He highlighted the “severe impacts” of water insecurity and poor sanitation on vulnerable communities. He praised the gathering as a “vital bridge” between civil society organizations and African governments linked to the ACHPR. “This forum serves as [a] space for dialogue,” Thomasi added, stressing the need for collective action to address water challenges.
The forum is chaired by Hannah Forster, Executive Director of the African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), which has established the event as a key fixture on Africa’s human rights calendar. This year’s theme, “Assuring Sustainable Water Availability and Safe Sanitation Systems to Achieve the Goals of Agenda 2063,” aligns the discussions with the African Union’s long-term development vision.
Other prominent speakers included Mabassa Fall of the ACDHRS Governing Council, Naji Moulay Lahsen of the NGOs Forum Steering Committee, Malamine Tamba from the United Nations Office for West Africa in Senegal, and Justice Aisatpu Jallow-Sey, who deputised for Chief Justice Hassan B. Jallow. All speakers unanimously called on African states to adopt a human rights-based approach to water and sanitation governance.
The forum provides a platform for NGOs, activists, and stakeholders to share experiences, propose solutions, and develop strategies that will feed directly into the forthcoming ACHPR session. Organisers hope the deliberations will translate into stronger policy commitments and practical interventions to safeguard water resources and improve sanitation across the continent, where climate change continues to intensify existing vulnerabilities.
As Africa faces growing threats from droughts, floods, and environmental degradation, participants are expected to explore innovative financing models, community-led initiatives, and legal frameworks to realize the right to water and sanitation for all.
