Water Resources Conflict Management of Nyabarongo River and Kagera River Watershed in Africa

Abstract

In the process of exploiting and using water resources of river basin, the benefit conflict problems among upper and lower river districts and among different departments restrict to sustainable exploiting and using water resources of river basin. In this paper, the water resources conflict management of Nyabarongo River and Kagera River watershed is studied. The Nyabarongo is a major river in Rwanda, begins in Nyungwe Forest, and flows up to the north-western part of the country, then down through the center to the south-east, eventually forming the main tributary of the Kagera River watershed, the main affluent of Lake Victoria, which drains into the Nile River. The basin is shared among 11 riparian states. This trans-boundary character of the Nile presents a great challenge of water conflicts; national interests have historically been promoted at the expense of regional interests. The framework of this paper is as follows: the water resources bulletin is firstly described, and then the cooperation and regional conflicts are discussed; finally a sustainable framework for governing the water resources is proposed to meet water management in riparian states.

An impact analysis of population growth on energy‐water‐food‐land nexus for ecological sustainable development in Rwanda

“…This led to the establishment of the Nile Basin Initiative Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP) which emphasizes that the Nile water be exploited from a regional perspective, to catalyze regional economic transformation. The goal of the Nile Basin Initiative is to “achieve sustainable socioeconomic development through the equitable use of, and that all member countries must benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources” (Nile Basin Initiative Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NELSAP), ). Apart from the industrial water requirements that is estimated to increase from about 300,000 to 900,000 m 3 per year by 2020, the Energy and Water Sanitation Authority estimates that Rwandan capital, Kigali needs about 55,080 m 3 per day, while the current production stands at about 30,525 m 3 per day (Habiyakare & Zhou, ). The international nature of many of the world's great rivers and increasing scarcity of water has led to discussions in the academic literature of the growing potential for violent conflict, or “water wars” between nations over shared water resources (Gleditsch, Furlong, Hegre, Lacina, & Owen, ; Toset, Gleditsch, & Hegre, ).…”

“…Habiyakare and Zhou () concluded in their research article that while Rwanda strives to pursue climate resilience programs for a green economy, important work is afoot to form this pathway a reality. However, like the authors, they too noticed a disconnect between sectors at the national and district level which poses a notable long‐run threat for ecological sustainable development.…”

“…Further, land degradation becomes inevitable as many people adopt affluent lifestyles while climate change also takes effect, forcing human activities to adapt or mitigate these natural catastrophes may lead to further damage and impact to the environment. Habiyakare and Zhou (2015) concluded in their research article that while Rwanda strives to pursue climate resilience programs for a green economy, important work is afoot to form this pathway a reality. However, like the authors, they too noticed a disconnect between sectors at the national and district level which poses a notable longrun threat for ecological sustainable development.…”

Unresolved Water Conflicts by Water Sector Institutions in Ewaso Ng’iro North River Sub-Basin, Kenya

“…Notably, Kenya is ranked as water scarce country with its per capita water availability at 650 cubic meters below the threshold of recommended international meters of 1700 cubic/m per capita /per year (Kiteme, 2020;Munia et al, 2016). Water accessibility in Ewaso Ng'iro North River Basin portrays protracted periods of unresolved conflicts on the water resources with devastating impacts (Bernauer and Böhmelt, 2020;Didier et al, 2011;Habiyakare and Zhou, 2015). Over the past decades, the dry flow of the Ewaso Ng'iro has reduced by 90%, consequently affecting downstream livelihoods and ecosystems (Habiyakare and Zhou, 2015;Kiteme, 2020;Kiteme et al, 2008;Lanari et al, 2018).…”

Memory Matter(s): Assembling Memorials in Post-Genocide Rwanda

“…Then its path runs southeast, passing through Kigali and encountering Lake Rweru on the border with Burundi. After joining Ruvubu River, Nyabarongo changes its name to Akagera River, flowing uplands into the Tanzania border near Rusumo Falls, and then through Uganda border, finally arriving at Lake Victoria (Habiyakare;Zhou, 2015, p. 892). This is the flow of a river in motion, carrying thousands of corpses to neighboring countries, causing a severe environmental and health crisis in the Great Lakes Region.…”