Transboundary Natural Resource Management and Diplomatic Cooperation Among the EAC States: Case of Lake Victoria Between Kenya and Uganda

Abstract

This study explores transboundary natural resource management and diplomatic cooperation among the East Africa Community states. The study does so with a primary focus on Lake Victoria, which is a vital transboundary natural resource shared by both Kenya and Uganda. The research being a case study employs qualitative methodology. It incorporates both primary data collected through administration of questionnaires and interviews with key stakeholders, government officials, and environmental experts and secondary data obtained from publicly available government databases and scholarly publications to complement each other and subsequently enrich the study. The objectives of the study are: to assess the transboundary natural resource management on diplomatic cooperation among the East Africa Community states, to determine and analyze the role played by Transboundary Natural Resources (TBNR) of Lake Victoria in promoting cooperation between Kenya and Uganda and to investigate key challenges experienced in Transboundary Natural Resources Management (TBNRM) of Lake Victoria between Kenya and Uganda. The findings of the study reveal that effective governance of TBNR can foster good diplomatic cooperation and peaceful coexistence between states. The findings further reveal that the TBNRM of Lake Victoria has played a critical role in promoting cooperation and resolving conflicts between Kenya and Uganda. Moreover, Joint efforts under regional organizations and treaties have enabled sustainable use and management of the lake's resources. Finally, according to the study’s findings, the effects of climate change, water pollution, the impact of water hyacinth, and the decline of biodiversity and fisheries are among the major challenges faced in the management of Lake Victoria. The study ultimately enriches the existing literature on TBNRM on diplomatic cooperation.