Journals Information
Natural Resources and Conservation Vol. 1(2), pp. 35 - 49
DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2013.010203
Reprint (PDF) (618Kb)
Managing Shared Basins in the Horn of Africa 鈥� Ethiopian Projects on the Juba and Shabelle Rivers and Downstream Effects in Somalia
Abdullahi Elmi Mohamed*
Department of Land and Water Resources Engineering, Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 76, SE 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
ABSTRACT
The Juba and Shabelle Rivers in the Horn of Africa are shared by Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. Most of the rivers鈥� runoff originates from Ethiopia. Being in a water-scarce and war-ravaged region, the rivers cross areas of border dispute. The paper examines the physical and developmental aspects of the rivers, and analyses resulting trans-boundary river management issues. Methodology used is document reviews, literature analysis and interviews. The rivers supply important economic areas in Somalia. As an outcome from the master plan studies of the basins, Ethiopia is implementing large dams for hydropower generation and large irrigation schemes. No agreements exist between the basin countries. These unilateral major water development projects will have substantial adverse impacts on Somalia. The sum of existing water uses and planned demands in both countries will exceed available water resources in the rivers. Potential disputes over the shared rivers are therefore likely to rise. Turning this risk of conflict into a sustainable peace and development process in the region, the paper presents and analyses existing & potential opportunities for cooperation over the rivers for mutual benefit sharing. Broader regional economic integration through river cooperation seems to be the only and necessary solution for the looming crisis.
KEYWORDS
Conflict, Ethiopia, Juba and Shabelle, Kenya River Cooperation, Shared Rivers, Somalia, Water Projects
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Abdullahi Elmi Mohamed , "Managing Shared Basins in the Horn of Africa 鈥� Ethiopian Projects on the Juba and Shabelle Rivers and Downstream Effects in Somalia," Natural Resources and Conservation, Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 35 - 49, 2013. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2013.010203.
(b). APA Format:
Abdullahi Elmi Mohamed (2013). Managing Shared Basins in the Horn of Africa 鈥� Ethiopian Projects on the Juba and Shabelle Rivers and Downstream Effects in Somalia. Natural Resources and Conservation, 1(2), 35 - 49. DOI: 10.13189/nrc.2013.010203.