Concluding thoughts: A hopeful future

As we come to the end of this blog series, I would like to reflect a little on the ideas that I have output over the past 8 weeks. We have tackled hydropolitics across transboundary rivers within the Nile and Chad Basins, addressing the conflicts surrounding water resources both on an international and regional scale. I have made my best attempt at picking away at the many complexities surrounding water politics, ranging from transboundary management of water sources to the potential manifestation of a water war. Although my blog has exhibited many melancholic examples and suggested that the future is bleak, that is very much not the case. We have seen how mega projects such as the GERD can exacerbate already existing tensions between countries, however, infrastructures like the GERD will prove to be vital in providing millions with water access across every state boundary along the Nile.

With new knowledge of the local hydrology systems within the wetlands and greater emphasis being put on collaborative efforts to manage water (with the help of international aid), the situation will likely only get better from here on out. With new technologies comes more efficient irrigation techniques, better abstraction tools, and wider distribution channels. Conflicts of any scale will always be prevalent with water becoming more and more of a coveted resource due to the onset of climate change, however many of these African countries acknowledge this and are taking a step in the right direction. It may take a while, but I'm sure they will get there sooner rather than later.

SEI, 2019

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The Hydropolitics of Africa

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