The Role of Gibe Iii Dam in Achieving Effective Cooperation between Ethiopia and Kenya
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Date
2016-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This study investigates the role of the Gibe III in bringing about cooperation between Ethiopia and Kenya through effective utilization of natural resources. Cooperation would be realized if there is public participation of the local population that inhabits the affected areas, enforcement of basin wide agreement, environmental scrutiny and sharing of information. Trans-boundary waters have a way of bringing cooperation between the riparian states as they do conflict. Therefore, this paper has examined the role of the Gibe III Dam in acting as a cooperation tool and how its water can be utilized effectively if proper agreements were in place. Although there are a couple of agreements on the Omo River between Ethiopia and Kenya, there is no trans-boundary water agreement so far. Therefore the study discusses in detail how cooperation can be achieved without a cooperation framework. There have been other Dams and developmental agreements on the Omo River but the Gibe III has become a talking issue for some time because of the perceived impact it is expected to cause on Lake Turkana. If the water level of Lake Turkana falls, it will lead to conflict between the two countries, hence the need for cooperation and effectively managing the shared water. Thus, the study has investigated whether there are cooperative tools and/or water management agreements between Ethiopia and Kenya. The reaction to the construction of the Dam by the affected people and how they are affected has also been examined. Analysis of conflict prevention and management methods used by appropriate bodies in case conflict arises has also been conducted. The challenges that were faced during the construction of the Dam have also been studied in order to help with the step forward.
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Keywords
Omo River, Lake Turkana, Gibe III Dam, Cooperation, Effective Utilization of Water Resources