Fighting Climate Change in Somalia's Conflict Zones

 The International Crisis Group published on 10 December 2024 a study titled "Fighting Climate Change in Somalia's Conflict Zones."

Somalia experienced a prolonged, extreme drought between 2020 and 2023 that caused a humanitarian emergency and fueled conflict with the Islamist militant group al-Shabaab.  Local resentment of the group's harsh methods during severe water shortages eventually led to a military offensive that put the insurgents on the back foot.

In Somalia, climate change and conflict are increasingly intertwined.  Al-Shabaab uses access to water and other natural resources to levy taxes on herders and farmers, as well as to punish communities that resist its control.  But it has also proven persuadable by social pressure during climate shocks.

Charges that Water Infrastructure Deliberately Destroyed in Tigray Region

 Ethiopia Insight published on 28 March 2023 a commentary titled "The Ethiopian and Eritrean Armies Deliberately Destroyed Tigray's Water Sector" by Gebremedhin Gebremeskel, Girmay Darcha, and Mitiku Haile, all residents in Mekelle, capital of Tigray Region.  

Following the outbreak of civil war in Ethiopia, the authors assert that forces from the central government and Eritrea destroyed 50 percent of the water supply schemes in Tigray Region.  In addition, 57 percent of irrigated farms on the banks of the Tekeze River and 89 percent of the Welkait sugarcane farms were destroyed.  

Kenya-South Sudan Border Dispute

 The Conversation published on 16 February 2023 a commentary titled "Ilemi Triangle: How Resources Fuel East Africa's Border Conflicts" by Al Chukwuma Okoli, Nigeria's Federal University of Lafia.  

The Ilemi Triangle, land claimed by Kenya and South Sudan, is rich in oil and water.  The quest for resources drives the conflict.  It is one of many boundary disputes in East Africa that require a regional border management mechanism to find enduring solutions to disputes often driven by disagreements over natural resources.

Nile Water Issues: Egyptian Fish Farming Instead of Crops

 Quartz published on 4 November 2022 an article titled "To Save Water, Egypt Should Farm Fish Instead of Crops" by Tim McDonnell.

Egypt is the top producer of farmed fish in Africa.  Fish farming produces more protein and revenue per acre than crop farming, and with a lower water and carbon emissions footprint per kilo of product.  While water is used only once in agriculture, fish farmers are able to use it several times.  Although there are challenges, the author urges that Egyptian farmers move increasingly from crops to fish to conserve water and increase protein production. 

Impact of Urbanization in Somalia

 The Rift Valley Institute published in 2022 a study titled "Commodified Cities: Urbanization and Public Goods in Somalia" by Tobias Hagmann et al.  

Somali cities are fragile but continue to be attractive places to live, work, trade, get an education, and socialize for many Somalis.  Urbanization is transforming Somali society in multiple and profound ways.  

Somalia, Food Security, and Climate Change

 The Heritage Institute for Policy Studies published in November 2021 a study titled "Prospects of Food Security in Somalia under Looming Climate Changes" by Abdirashid Elmi.

The report provides an assessment of food security challenges in Somalia in the face of climate extremes.  Somalia has warmed faster than the global average.  Alternating droughts and floods have intensified, causing more households to face the risk of becoming food insecure.  Climate change is predicted to adversely affect agricultural yields in Somalia where crop production relies heavily on environmental factors such as rainfall and temperature.  There is an interdependent relationship between food production and climate change.

Water Cooperation in the Horn of Africa

 The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published in December 2021 a study titled "Water Cooperation in the Horn of Africa: Addressing Drivers of Conflict and Strengthening Resilience" by Kyungmee Kim, Emilie Broek, Elizabeth S. Smith, David Michel, Erwin de Nys, and Nicolas Salazar Godoy.

Climate stress and violent conflict have led to increased social vulnerability and political fragility in the Horn of Africa, which in turn affects the region's prospects for adapting to changing environmental conditions.  This report explores the role of local level cooperative initiatives for improving water challenges in the Horn of Africa.

It looks at three case studies: the Sio-Malaba-Malakishi Basin shared among Kenya, Uganda and part of the Upper Nile Basin; the Dawa River and Aquifer involving the cross-border communities in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia; and the Bahr el Ghazal Basin and the Bagara Basin Aquifer shared between Sudan and South Sudan.  

The report highlights promising prospects for strengthening the linkages between intergovernmental processes and local community engagement.  

Water Security and Governance in the Horn of Africa

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published in March 2020 a report titled "Water Security and Governance in the Horn of Africa" by Anniek Barnhoorn, Florian Krampe, Luc van de Goor, Elizabeth Smith and Dan Smith.

The report presents a regional analysis of environment, peace and security linkages in the Horn of Africa with a focus on water security and governance. It evaluates the situation in the Nile and the Juba-Shabelle basins.

Impact of Foreign Land Leasing in Nile Basin

InfoNile just released an investigative report titled "Sucked Dry: Huge Swaths of Land Acquired by Foreign Investors in Africa's Nile River Basin Export Profits, Displace Communities" by lead investigators Fredrick Mugira and Annika McGinnis.

Since 2000, up to 10 million hectares of land have been acquired, usually as long-term leases, by investors in 11 countries in Africa's Nile River Basin. While some of the land deals benefit local people, most primarily benefit the foreign investors. Companies from India are the largest investors, but companies from Saudi Arabia, US, Italy, Malaysia, China, Austria, Israel, Turkey, Canada, and Singapore are also big investors.

Ethiopian Remote Sensing Satellite

Spacewatch recently posted an article titled "Ethiopia to Build and Launch Remote Sensing Satellite with Chinese Help."

Ethiopian scientists and engineers are building a small earth observation satellite in cooperation with and with funding from China, which will be launched from China in 2019. It will be used to gather data on water, agriculture, climate change and the environment.

China-Nigeria Water Conservation Cooperation

The Journal of Current Chinese Affairs recently published an academic study titled "Repository Africa in the Evolving 'Chinese Century':The Uneven Sino-Nigerian Water Conservation Partnership" by Adebusuyi Isaac Adeniran, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.

The study assesses specific outcomes of China's water conservation project in Kano, Nigeria, and argues that it has facilitated technology and skill transfer but might eventually lead to neo-dependency.

EU, China, Africa Cooperation on Climate Change

The German Development Institute published in August 2017 a report titled "A New Climate Trilateralism? Opportunities for Cooperation Between the EU, China and African Countries on Addressing Climate Change" by Moritz Weigel and Alexander Demissie.

The paper emphasizes that trilateral cooperation between the EU, China and African countries should be guided by Africa's priorities. It proposes that trilateral cooperation initially focus on renewable energy.

Liberia: Chinese Company Causes Environmental Problems

Allafrica.com posted on 11 April 2017 a story titled "Liberia: Locals Demand Environmental Cleanup - China Union Plans Restart" by Mae Azango.

This is a case study of environmental damage caused by China Union at an iron mine in Liberia. Drinking water and agricultural land were adversely affected. When the price of iron ore dropped, China Union shut down the operation. Now that the price of iron ore has risen again, it wants to resume operations but local Liberians are insisting it first resolve the environmental damage.

Africa Construction Trends Report 2015: Role of China

Deloitte has just published its Africa Construction Trends Report 2015.  The number of projects qualifying for inclusion in 2015 is 301, a 17 percent increase over 2014.

The report dispels some myths about the perceived overwhelming role of China in the construction of infrastructure in Africa.  International development finance institutions funded most of the projects in 2015 followed by African governments, an amalgamation of participation by individual countries, and then China on a stand-alone basis.  China is the owner of only one project but is involved in the funding of 13 projects (4 percent) and heavily present in the construction of 42 projects (15 percent). 

Hurdles to Oil Extraction in Kenya

The Washington-based Institute for Defense Analyses (IDS) Africa Watch published on 12 February 2015 a piece titled "Oil Extraction in Kenya--Political and Geological Hurdles" by Eliza Johannes, a staff member at IDS.

British-based Tullow Oil is responsible for oil exploration and development in Turkana County of Kenya, a region which has been the location of ethnic conflict between the Turkana and Pokot peoples.  The prospect of 600 million barrels of oil in the region has increased the level of violence.  Tullow Oil also estimates that every barrel of processed crude oil will require 50 gallons of water.  This part of Kenya is well known for water shortages.  Disputes over scarce water will further increase tension. 

Nile Waters Dispute Heading towards Peaceful Solution?

The Washington-based Institute for Defense Analysis published on 20 November 2014 a brief analysis titled "Nile Waters Dispute Tips toward a Peaceful Solution" by George Ward, editor of Africa Watch.

Ward concludes that Egypt's negotiating stance and public posture on the Nile waters question has moderated since the inauguration of Egyptian President al-Sisi.  Negotiations are no longer about whether there will be an Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile, but about the size, environmental and hydrological impact, and fill rate of the structure that will be completed.  

Sudan: Environmental Governance for Peacebuilding in Darfur

The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) published in June 2014 a report titled "Relationships and Resources: Environmental Governance for Peacebuilding and Resilient Livelihoods in Sudan." 

The report argues that achieving peace in Darfur requires an approach that includes both technical work to restore degraded natural resources and one that rebuilds new forms of environmental governance and political work capable of establishing a shared vision, resolving conflicts, and advancing new forms of governance.  The report describes practical experiences undertaken by UNEP and numerous  partners in government and civil society between 2007 and 2014 to support Darfur's own efforts to develop new inclusive and participatory approaches to environmental governance.  It focuses on the process by which governance and peacebuilding may be promoted using natural resources as the basis for rebuilding key relationships and trust. 

Can New Water Discoveries Save East Africa?

Foreign Affairs published on 8 April 2014 a piece titled "Quenching Kenya: Can New Water Discoveries Save East Africa?" by Brahma Chellaney.  The author points out that East Africa is one of the most water stressed areas of the world but suggests a solution may be the discovery of new underground aquifers.

Globalizing Nile Water Issues

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) published a commentary that first appeared in Al-Ahram Weekly on 13 February 2014 titled "Globalizing Water Projects" by Helmi Sharawy, former director of the Arab and African Research Centre in Cairo. 

The author argues for a global approach to African water issues, including differences among countries in the Nile Basin. 

African Construction Trends Report 2013

The private company Deloitte just released its "African Construction Trends Report 2013," which has some surprising conclusions concerning China's engagement in this field.  The report evaluates $222 billion invested in 322 African infrastructure projects that have a project value over $50 million and had broken ground by, but not yet been commissioned at, 1 June 2013.  The top sectors rated by investment value were energy and power, transport, mining, real estate and water, followed by gas and oil.

Based on this size and time-limited sample, the results are surprising in view of all the attention in recent years accorded to China's involvement in African infrastructure.  Europe/US stakeholders funded 15 percent of the projects and Chinese stakeholders funded 10 percent of the projects in the sample.  This still places China as the most important bilateral funding source, but not the overwhelming player that it is often said to be. European/US contractors built 37 percent of the projects and Chinese construction corporations built 12 percent, again a lower percentage than is often portrayed.