A new report from the Pacific Institute reveals that ethnic militias and clans in Somalia, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mali, and elsewhere have fought throughout the region over access to drinking water and grazing land.
The report shows that there were hundreds of deaths and injuries and the destruction of water wells and infrastructure in the countries in 2023.
“Widespread protests in many regions of South Africa, Ethiopia, and elsewhere in sub-Saharan Africa over lack of access to safe water and sanitation are reported throughout 2023, with numerous deaths and injuries,” reads the Water Conflict Chronology.
According to the Institute, 347 new instances of armed conflicts over water resources and water systems have been recorded throughout the world in 2023 which increased from 231 instances registered in 2022, exceeding by 50%.
Source: Pacific Institute
“Increasingly, droughts and floods are straining water systems around the globe, fueling greater conflict, from locals blocking roads to protest water shortages to combatants cutting off access to water,” said Roberta Boscolo, Climate and Energy Lead at World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in her post on LinkedIn.
“By improving water management practices and enhancing climate resilience, the WMO’s efforts in global water monitoring, forecasting, and capacity-building can help reduce tensions and support more equitable water distribution, ultimately contributing to peace and stability,” she adds.
Pacific Institute emphasizes that extreme weather events, including drought and flooding, caused by a changing climate are further wrenching the water systems around the globe.
