Hello Paul, As you have rightly pointed out, It is true most Upstream countries are always less interested in cooperation than Downstream countries. What are reasons to explain this? Gerson Fumbuka
Published by Gerson Fumbuka, Consultant for Lake Victoria Basin Commission of the East African Community
Hello Paul,
As you have rightly pointed out, It is true most Upstream countries are always less interested in cooperation than Downstream countries. What are reasons to explain this?
Gerson Fumbuka
1 Comment
It's obvious Gershon. Upstream countries have more to lose by agreeing to share the resources. Downstream countries can sometimes act to affect upstream water resources, but in general they can't' do that. But upstream countries with the capacity dam, divert and pollute rivers can and will affect any downstream country by what they do. So long as there is no legal obligation on them to take downstream conditions into account they cannot be forced to act responsibly, only persuaded to 'do the right thing' or to act if there is another lever to pressure them. China is the upstream example - all the major rivers flow out to downstream countries, which is why China refused (along with Turkey and Albania) to sign the UN convention on international watercourses. Sometimes upstream countries want to be seen ads good neighbours, but does that lead to significant concessions on their part? Consider Ethiopia, for instance, and the Nile.
Published by Paul Taylor