Growing populations and climatic impacts are placing unprecedented pressure on water resources.
This is true of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region which comprises 16 member states, with an estimated population of 345,2 million in 2018.
Rivers play a pivotal role in the region’s socio- economic development, as evidenced by its reliance on waterways.
Southern Africa boasts 15 major transboundary river basins, shared among neighbouring countries, with 13 basins entirely within the region’s borders.
However, the equitable distribution of water resources remains a challenge, exacerbated by climatic factors influencing rainfall patterns and the geographical distribution of river basins.
While these rivers can spark conflicts, they also serve as conduits for peace and cooperation.
Therefore, prioritising transboundary water cooperation is not merely about economic prosperity but also essential for nurturing stability and harmony throughout the region.
As the world marks World Water Day today, 22 March, under the theme ‘Water and Peace’, urgent strategies are required to mitigate the escalating risks of conflicts arising from increasing population pressures in shared river basins.
These conflicts often stem from downstream countries experiencing reduced water availability because of upstream water withdrawals for various purposes, including dam construction, agriculture, and industrial activities.
Deterioration in water quality, and quantity, coupled with changes in river flows, land degradation, erratic rainfall, and extreme climate events such as droughts, floods, and cyclones, are some of the water resources related challenges within the region.
Without proper interventions, these challenges could increase the risk of conflicts among nations and communities sharing river basins.
TRANSBOUNDARY COOPERATION
Transboundary water cooperation in the SADC region is driven and governed largely by regional instruments, mainly the SADC Revised Protocol on Shared Watercourses of 2000.
The protocol, which aims to foster closer cooperation among member states for protection, management, and use of shared regional watercourses, emphasises establishing water-sharing agreements and shared water- course institutions, such as river basin commissions and joint water commissions.
The SADC Regional Water Policy (2005), and the SADC Regional Water Strategy (2006) provide frameworks for sustainable, integrated, and coordinated development, utilisation, protection, and control of national and transboundary water resources in the region.
Over the past 20 years, the SADC Secretariat has developed five-year Regional Strategic Action Plans (RSAPs) on Integrated Water Resources Development and Management to guide entrenching cooperation and improving regional governance as a means of strengthening approaches to water resources management through building capacity and the exchange of knowledge.
At the transboundary level, cooperation among SADC countries is governed by bilateral and multi-lateral agreements.
Through its Transboundary Water Management Programme (TWM), Global Water Partnership Southern Africa (GWPSA) supports countries in promoting transboundary cooperation within the shared river basins.
Within the Buzi, Pungwe and Save (Bupusa) Tri-basin Project, GWPSA supported the governments of Mozambique and Zimbabwe in the final negotiations that led to the signing of the Save Water Sharing Agreement and the Bupusa Establishment and Hosting Agreements.
This led to the establishment of the Buzi Pungwe Save Watercourses Commission (BupusaCom), the first tri-basin commission in the region.
The support was provided under the Global Environment Facility (GEF)- funded US$6 million transboundary project, being implemented in the three basins by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with GWPSA as the regional executing partner supporting the two governments.
ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS
Knowledge of international water law, hydro-politics, negotiations, conflict resolution, stakeholder engagement, and strategic communication is vital for conflict prevention, peace promotion, and equitable resource sharing in Transboundary Water Management (TWM).
However, technical experts often lack the necessary negotiation skills.
Moreover, challenges like institutional distrust, insufficient recognition of cooperation benefits, and political influence hinder effective cooperation.
The Transboundary Freshwater Security Governance Train Series is one of the capacity building initiatives GWP, together with its partners, are using to promote transboundary water governance, international water law, and water diplomacy.
Bringing together like-minded professionals in transboundary water management through communities of practice promotes the sharing of ideas, policies, and developments around TWM towards peaceful resource sharing.
Regional multi-stakeholder platforms, including biennial SADC workshops, have made a huge impact on knowledge enhancement around transboundary water cooperation in the region.
GWPSA continues to support the SADC Secretariat in organising these platforms.
In conclusion, sustainable and cooperative management of transboundary water resources is essential for regional stability, integration, and peace.
Efforts to promote water for peace must adopt an integrated approach that recognises the interconnectedness of water, environment, and human societies, aiming to address water-related challenges in ways that promote stability, cooperation, and sustainable development.
– Loreen Katiyo, transboundary water governance and environmental specialist, GWPSA
– Leticia Ngorima, regional communications specialist, GWPSA
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
