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Concluding Currents: Reflecting on the Tides of Water and Politics

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Happy New Year! As we draw this blog series to a close, it’s time to reflect on the intricate and profound interplay between water and politics in Africa, a journey that has taken us through the continent's rich history, its current challenges, and the outlook for its future. We started our journey with the surprising revelation of the Sahara's lush past, illustrating the dramatic transformations that landscapes and their resources can undergo. This led us into the present-day reality of water in Africa - a vital, yet often inaccessible, resource. The situation is exemplified by the tensions surrounding the Nile River, a lifeline for millions and a flashpoint for geopolitical strife. Our exploration of Africa's colonial past revealed the deep-seated roots of many contemporary water challenges. Figure 1, map of Africa, poignantly showcases the continent's colonial legacy through its distinct, straight-lined boundaries. The enduring legacy of colonialism has left a marked...
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Fluid Dynamics at COP28: Navigating Water Management and Political Currents

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In this blog, we'll delve into the key takeaways from the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and implications for water management and political dynamics in Africa. We'll explore the intersection of climate change with water resource management, highlighting the challenges and potential solutions or policy initiatives.
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Streams of Discord and Harmony: Exploring the Dual Nature of Water Conflict and Cooperation

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Following up the previous blog on transboundary water cooperation, this blog will delve into the dual nature of water as a source of both conflict and cooperation and quantifying it. As transboundary water politics present a complex tapestry of relationships among nations that share these vital waterways. 
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Rivers Beyond Borders: Navigating the Politics of Transboundary Water Cooperation

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Welcome back to my blog series on water and politics in Africa! In this blog, we explore the intricate world of transboundary water politics, focusing on the rivers that traverse national boundaries and serve as vital resources for multiple nations. With 60% of Africa's population living in transboundary river basins, these waterways, such as the Nile, Congo, Niger, and Zambezi, are not only lifelines but also sources of intricate disputes and the necessity for cooperative governance.
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Echoes of Empire: Tracing the Influence of Colonial History on Contemporary Water Politics in Africa

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  Unraveling the Colonial Threads in Africa's Water Politics The ' Scramble for Africa ', a defining period of European imperialism, left indelible marks on the continent's water politics. From 1880 to 1914, European powers partitioned almost 90% of Africa, looking at Figure 1, from 10% of Africa being colonised to 90% in 1913 , significantly altering its hydro-political landscape. This era, epitomised by the 1884 Berlin Conference, set the stage for enduring geopolitical and resource-related tensions. In this blog, I'll explore how Africa's colonial past continues to shape its present water governance, dissecting the complex interplay of historical influences and current water challenges across the continent.  Figure 1.   The Transformation of Africa during the Scramble (1880-1913) Legacy of Colonialism: The Urban-Rural Divide in Water Access Colonialism's legacy has been significant for Africa in many aspects, looking at Figure 2 , the railway in South Af...
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Aqua and Authority: Tracing the Tides of Water Politics in Africa

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Welcome to my inaugural blog post about water and politics in Africa! Please join my journey of delving into multiple case studies in this fascinating continent Africa in the coming months.
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