Avoiding Conflict: Cooperation

 

Effective management of rivers has been a historical pursuit of humans and nation-states. Socio-economic and political aims underpin the control and ownership of flowing water, imbuing countries with economic opportunities, national security, society and culture (Sadoff and Grey 2002). 

 

Today, effective management of rivers is often underpinned by ratified agreements concerning international water resources. Formal institutions uphold these agreements, which are critical for the reduction of the risk of conflict (Barnaby 2009). Regional strength and trust generate peaceful solutions to water-based tensions, though this is historically uneasy due to competing national interests (Bybee 2014). 

 

Challenges arise through the trade-off between economic benefits (eg river development projects) and environmental conservation (Sadoff and Grey 2002). 

 

OKACOM

 

The Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM) is an institution that reduces the risk of conflict and ensures cooperation between riparian states between Angola, Namibia and Botswana (Mogomotsi et al 2020). Ratified in 1994, OKACOM aims to develop an integrated water management solution for the Okavango Basin (OKACOM 1995; Marcantonio 2016). OKACOM outlines an institutional framework for Okavango-basin management, including the discussion of potential conflicts, dictating fair usage, managing uncertainty, and overseeing the management of the Okavango River (Mogomotsi et al 2020). 

 

OKACOM facilitates regional cooperation and information sharing, ensuring the integrated management of the Okavango’s water resources (Bybee 2014). Transparency is important due to a history of secrecy within the basin (Mogomotsi et al 2020). An example was covered here. Members need to continue their work together to promote trust, especially in light of emerging climate-change related threats (OKACOM 2018). 

 




Figure 1: The OKACOM Logo. The riparian nations flags are included, and the path of the Okavango outlined. (Source: OKACOM 2023 https://www.okacom.org/ ).


What does OKACOM do?

 

OKACOM technically advises the basin states, focusing on conservation, development potential and fair water use (Lebotse 1999; Schmeir 2021; Permanent Okavango River Commission 2011). Basin commissioners (one representative per state) regularly meet to share accurate information, and a designated committee manage water-related projects (Mbaiwa 2004). Development plans require an agreement between the three riparian states (OKACOM 1994).

 

OKACOM derives success from its strong framework, and high levels of political will and trust (Bybee 2014). Cooperation has increased over time, and due to the successful 1994 Agreement, members revised the agreement in 2016 to further cooperation (Schmeir 2021). It is a learning organisation, continuously responding to basin needs (OKACOM 2018).

 

However, OKACOM- and other similar institutions- hold no enforcement power for the advice provided (Marcantonio 2016). Subsequently, the agreements can be undermined because a lack of manpower and legislative power means that consequences for breaking the agreements are not enforced (Mbaiwa 2004). Funding limitations also limit the efficiency of the organisation (OKACOM 2018).

 

Conclusions

 

International riparian relationships and institutions may increase international cooperation beyond the river; for example, non-water flows such as investment, trade, and communication. These forward linkages lead to diminishing tensions and regional fragmentation (Sadoff and Grey 2002). 

 

Effective management of international rivers is a “catalyst for peace and economic integration” (Sadoff and Grey 2002, 403). International agreements are important for reducing the threat of conflict over shared water resources, but broader geopolitical consequences can mushroom from water management. 

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

Barnaby, W. (2009) ‘Do Nations go to War over Water?’, Nature, 458, 282-283.


Bybee, M. (2014) ‘Water governance and international co-operation: Lessons from the Cubango-Okavango River system’, South African Institute of International Affairs, 1-4.


Lebotse, K.K. (1999) ‘Southern African Development Community Protocol of Shared Watercourses: Challenges of Implementation’, Leiden Journal of International Law, 12, 1, 173.


Marcantonio, R.A. (2016) ‘The Okavango River Basin Agreement: An Analysis’, African Geographical Review, 35, 3, 227-246.


Mbaiwa, J.E. (2004) ‘Causes and possible solutions to water resource conflicts in the Okavango River Basin: The case of Angola, Namibia and Botswana’, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth, 29, 1319-1326.


Mogomotsi, G.E.J; P.K, Mogomotsi and K, Mosepele. (2020) ‘Legal aspects of transboundary water management: An analysis of the intergovernmental institutional arrangements in the Okavango River Basin’, Leiden Journal of International Law, 33, 391-408.


OKACOM. (1994) ‘Agreement Between the Governments of The Republic of Angola, The Republic of Botswana and The Republic of Namibia on the Establishment of a Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission (OKACOM)’, Signatory Document, Signed by Representatives of the Three Governments, Windhoek, Namibia, 15 September 1994.


OKACOM. (1995) Terms of Reference for an Environmental Assessment of the Okavango River Basin, Document approved by the Permanent Okavango River Basin Commission on 6 June 1995.


OKACOM. (2018) ‘Lessons Learnt in 20 Plus Years of Experience’, OKACOM Report, Available at: https://www.okacom.org/sites/default/files/publications/LessonsLearntin20YearsofExistence.pdf   (Accessed 07/12/2023). 


Permanent Okavango River Basin Water Commission. (2011) ‘Strategic Action Programme (SAP) for the Sustainable Development and Management of the Cubango-Okavango Basin’, Available at: https://www.okacom.org/okacom-strategic-action-programme-sap-0 (Accessed 5/12/2023).


Sadoff, C.W, and D, Grey. (2002) ‘Beyond the river: the benefits of cooperation on international rivers’, Water Policy, 4, 5, 389-403.


Schmeir, S. (2021) ‘International Water Law Principles in Negotiations and Water Diplomacy’, American Journal of International Law, 115, 173-177.


Welcome to OKACOM. (2023) Okacom.org. Available at: https://www.okacom.org  (Accessed: 07/01/2024).


Online links are not available for all sources.

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