ISS/AHSI International Conference: Water Related Conflicts-Whither Africa? Addis Ababa, 13-14 November 2008
- Concept Note (PDF 114kb)
- Draft Programme (PDF 48kb)
- Summary of Presentations (PDF 28kb)
- Paper: Access-Management-Ownership: The ‘Water and Pasture Menu’ in Pastoralist Conflicts in the Greater Horn of Africa. Dr MJ Kimani (PDF 211kb)
- Presentation: Access-Management-Ownership: The ‘Water and Pasture Menu’ in Pastoralist Conflicts in the Greater Horn of Africa. Dr MJ Kimani (PDF)
- Presentation: Water and Conflict: Making Water Delivery Conflict Sensitive In Uganda, Sausi Capson, SaferWorld Uganda (PDF 314kb)
- Indigenous Coping Strategies to Water Resources Variations in the Lake Victoria Basin, Dr Donald Mwiturubani (PDF 205kb)
- Presentation: Sediments of Trust: Scarcity or Plenty? Dr Jaqui Goldin, AWIRU (PDF 1.34MB)
- Presentation: La gestion des lacs Nokoué et Ahémé et du littoral au Bénin, Dr Dossou Mathias Toffi (PDF 748kb)
The Institute for Security Studies / African Human Security Initiative Programme (ISS/AHSI) cordially invites you to a 2-day International Conference on Water Related Conflicts – Whither Africa? to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, at the United Nations Conference Centre from November 13-14, 2008.
Conflicts over water resources are imminent threats to human security on the continent especially as people continue to seek higher standards of living without due regard for the management of water resources. This conference is aimed at demonstrating that comprehending conflicts over water in Africa is a complex procedure that requires a multi-disciplinary approach as mono-causal theories are clearly inadequate especially when conflicts are taken out of their socio-economic and political contexts. However, the extent of preparedness by all stakeholders will determine the capacity to contain the anticipated conflicts. But more importantly, the processes and methods through which these threats become interwoven hold the key to mitigating the pending catastrophes.
The demand for water is increasing in line with the increasing global population and coupled with the strained resources and pollution, water related conflicts are set to increase. This follows the UN warning that there are at least 300 potential conflicts over water around the world arising from squabbles over river boundaries, use of water from shared lakes and aquifers. In Africa only, more than two thirds of the 60 water basins are shared by more than one country thereby increasing chances of conflict while the dwindling water resources on the continent could further increase the conflicts and also lead to food shortage. This is indicated by the number of refugees generated by water conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the fighting of pastoralist communities all over the continent over water and pasture. No one is spared as the urban poor battle to access water and sanitation facilities are scarce for many of them making the achievement of the 2015 Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people without access to water impossible.
We therefore seek to answer the following questions: What is the likely future scenario on the continent in the advent of worsening water scarcity? More importantly, how can the regional bodies prepare to mitigate the impact of such conflicts? Other questions arising from the impact of this dwindling resource are: Is armed violence typical of the drylands of Africa where pastoralist communities are permanently on the move in search of water and pastures?
The overall objective of this conference is to share experiences on water related conflicts on the continent, water resource management practices amongst African countries making it possible to identify imminent threats that are likely to be exacerbated by climatic changes. The conference is thus seeking to bring together practitioners, policy-makers and researchers who have an interest in the socio-political dimensions of water resources related conflicts. This will make it possible to explore strategies for adapting to the uncertainties of climate change to support the enhancement of human security by minimizing conflicts.
The issues of water related conflicts will be explored through the themes of: access to water and poverty; the role of elected institutions and governance of natural resources; health; water quality and water management; pastoralist practices and migrations; local water knowledge management systems; the role of river basin authorities and models for managing water-related conflicts.
AHSI intends to prepare a submission with recommendations for mitigating the impact of water conflicts on human security to the AU Peace and Security Council.
You are invited to attend and fully participate at this workshop that seeks to investigate modes of effective natural resource conflict management. Participants who will not be presenters will have to kindly meet their own air travel and accommodation costs. Lunch and tea will however be catered for throughout the period.
Dates: 13 - 14 November 2008
Venue: United Nations Conference Centre, Addis Ababa, Ethipia
RSVP: Tel: +254 20 300 5726/28; Noel Sikasa on nsikasa@issafrica.org, or Dr Annie Chikwanha on achikwanha@issafrica.org or Yemissrach Tadesse on ytadesse@issafrica.org
