Water Activists Launch Progressive African Water Network

[Oscar]

MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2007

Water Activists Launch Progressive African Water Network at Nairobi World Social Forum

Today, Nairobi, Kenya

Despite the disastrous record of water privatisations in Africa, international aid donors and governments continue to promote 'private sector participation' and commercialisation as the solution to Africa's water crisis. Civil society groups and social movements today announced the launch of a new African Water Network to counter this misguided push for water privatisation.

Over 250 activists representing organizations and social movements from Africa, and from over 40 African countries, committed to actively support this network during an historic session at the World Social Forum in Nairobi.

"The launch of this network should put the water privateers, governments and international financial institutions on notice that Africans will resist privatization", said Ghanaian activist Al hassan Adam, "we demand governments provide access to clean water through efficient public delivery."

In a strong statement, the network outlined 5 non-negotiable principles which this network will promote:

1. To fight against water privatisation in all its forms
2. To ensure participatory public control and management of water resources
3. Oppose all forms of prepaid water meters
4. Ensure that water is enshrined in our national constitutions as a human right
5. Ensure that the provision of water is a national project solely in the public domain

"Today we celebrate the birth of this network to resist the theft of our water, tomorrow we will celebrate access to clean water for all!" said Virginia Setshedi of the South African Coalition Against Water Privatization.

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Contacts

For more information, contact:

Al-hassan Adam (Ghana Coalition against Privatisation of Water), 0736155485 (from local); 00254 736155485 (from abroad) - from Saturday 20/1, email <alhassan.adam@gmail.com>

Anil Naidoo (Blue Planet Project), 0736539620 in Kenya; 001.613.233.2773 after the World Social Forum - email anil@canadians.org