Water Diplomacy: And the Share of the Nile River between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan

Water diplomacy across international borders can be a useful tool in solving problems related to the shared water resources of the political entities involved, especially when the interests of the countries are diverse. Water disputes can likely lead to potential conflicts if not properly address in a holistic manner to satisfy all parties concerned. Many discussions about water resources that cut across international borders have focused on their potential for either conflict or cooperation. Africa as a continent with shared resources is not isolated from these enormous challenges concerning the share of natural resources such as water. Africa is generally seen as a fragile region, and the signs of water conflicts in it have begun to appear in clear and dangerous forms. Diplomatic options for settling water disputes and avoiding any potential repercussions seems for the likelihood. Notwithstanding, these options Water Diplomacy has many challenges that limit its effectiveness owing to the deep political tensions among the countries. This study focused on analyzing the concept of water diplomacy and look into the dispute over the share of the Nile River, while highlighting the legitimate right of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan in line with international conventions on water resources. Received: 24 September 2021 / Accepted: 25 November 2021 / Published: 5 January 2022

Theory of Institutional Peace and Peacebuilding in Transboundary River Basins

ABSTRACT Social developments have led to prompt the significance of concentrating on peace and the factors influencing it throughout history. In order to analyze this concept, various theories have been proposed in the field of international relations and peace and conflict studies. Institutional peace theory is one of the prominent theories that emphasizes the role of international institutions to achieve meaningful change and cooperation among governments at the international level. Most researchers in the field of environmental challenges in general and water challenges in particular have also based liberal institutionalism in their research at the international level. Attention to the role of institutions in dealing with water conflicts and peacebuilding in transboundary river basins has led to the need to analyze the theory of institutional peace in the management of water conflicts. Accordingly, the purpose of the present study is to analyze the capacity of institutional peace theory in dealing with water conflicts in transboundary river basins. With this goal in view, while using library resources, the effectiveness of institutional peace theory in the management of water conflicts is analyzed. Based on the analyses, it can be acknowledged that despite the positive effect of water institutions in relieving water conflicts in some river basins, there are significant criticisms of this theory. KEYWORDS: Water Conflicts, Institutional Peace, Transboundary river basins, Institutionalism

Game Theory and Dealing with Water Conflict

In the last century, water conflicts have increased in many parts of the world for reasons such as a strong desire for rapid development and poor governance. The impact of these conflicts on various sectors of society such as economic, political and legal subsystems has led researchers to focus on providing solutions and practical methods to deal with water conflicts. Game theory is one of the most common methods used by researchers to manage water conflicts and water allocation in shared and transboundary river basins. Despite the special place of game theory in reductionist sciences, the application of this theory to dealing with conflicts in complex water systems faces challenges. Whereas, the critique of the effectiveness of the game theory method in water conflict management has been neglected. Accordingly, the purpose of this study is to investigate and analyze the capacity to apply the game theory to deal with water conflicts. In order to achieve this purpose, while using library resources, the basics of game theory and the capacity to apply it in the management of water conflicts are analyzed. The results reveal that following the theory of rational choice and rationalism in the game theory method has led to ignore many dimensions and factors affecting the water conflict formation and the way to deal with complex water conflicts. Keywords: Water Conflicts, Game Theory, Peacebuilding, Shared and Transboundary River Basins

Improving Social Capital, A Solution to Manage Water Conflicts

Water systems are categorized as coupled human-natural systems. It is argued that extreme events are primarily associated with the natural component of the system, while conflicts are considered as part of the human component of the water systems. Since the system is coupled, both human and natural components interact with each other. For instance, extreme events such as droughts can trigger conflict among societies. What needs to be noted here is that such disturbances in both systems are, to some extent, inevitable. However, by using the proper mechanisms and leverages, they can be alleviated. Enhancing social capital among stakeholders is one of those leverages to reduce the conflicts' likelihood or at least intensity. Social capital reflects people’s collective level of awareness on the issues, their reciprocal relationships, and public participation. In other words, social capital captures three concepts of “Public Justice,” “Public Cohesion,” and “Public Participation.” This paper aims to descriptively analyze the effect of social capital in social conflicts in the context of water systems. The results of this study indicated that social capital is effective in alleviating water conflicts, but requires large and long-term investments. Therefore, it can be used to alleviate conflicts to reduce vulnerability, and achieve development. Keywords: Social capital, Water systems, Conflict, Vulnerability

Intra-state water conflicts (second half of the XX- early XXI centuries): historical and geographic overview

The article reveals and systematizes the main types of conflicts over drinking water, which broke out in the world during the late XX and early XXI centuries. For each type of conflict, a specific example is given and briefly disclosed its history, the main reasons for its deployment are analyzed. It is noted that the overwhelming majority of past and present conflicts are local and take place within national states. But with population growth, industrialization and urbanization, the demand for water is only growing, which leads to increased competition for it and can provoke new disputes over this resource. Separately, the conflict over access to hydro-resources on the Russian-occupied Crimean Peninsula is highlighted. The experience of studying conflicts over water demonstrates that even local disputes over hydro resources often result in human casualties, worsen people's living conditions, and carry health risks, in particular famine and epidemics.