Persisting Transboundary Resource Conflicts in Africa- a Case Study of River Omo Delta

Abstract

Globally, there are 263 transboundary river basins, out of which 59 are in Africa and five in Kenya. The Omo Delta is located within Lake Turkana Basin, which is one of Kenya’s shared ecosystems with Ethiopia. Due to bad governance, the shared resources have become a source conflicts between countries over access and control. The disputes between the Daasanach and Turkana began in the late 1950s with cattle banditry and killings over land rights and pasture grounds. The purpose of this study was to generate information for enhancing understanding of the conflicts in the Omo Delta with a view to influencing policy decision making on sustainable utilization of transboundary resources. Specifically, the study explored the source of the disagreement on utilization of the Omo River, examined the socio-economic and ecological impacts of the damming of the Omo River in Ethiopia and assessed the compliance of Ethiopia and Kenya with the relevant international laws in the use of the Omo River. A cross-sectional research design was adopted for this study and qualitative research instruments; key informant interviews and focused Group Discussion (FGD) were used for data collection. Qualitative methods were used to analyze the data. Diminishing water resources, unsustainable anthropogenic activities and weak natural resource management systems were the key determinants of conflicts. Significant drop in Lake Turkana water levels, sharp decline in fish production, weakened livelihoods and food insecurity were the key impacts of unsustainable use of River Omo. Ethiopia did not comply with the international conventions in the utilization of River Omo. Kenya and Ethiopia need to design a robust cross-border peace initiative in the Omo delta, undertake urgent joint Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of the Gibe III dam and Kuraz Sugar Development Projects, and then develop a joint management and conservation plan for River Omo and Lake Turkana Basins.