Resources and border disputes in eastern Africa

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Periodical article

Title:	Resources and border disputes in eastern Africa
Author:	Okumu, Wafula
Year:	2010
Periodical:	Journal of Eastern African Studies (ISSN 1753-1063)
Volume:	4
Issue:	2
Pages:	279-297
Language:	English
Geographic term:	East Africa
Subjects:	boundary conflicts natural resources
External link:	https://doi.org/10.1080/17531055.2010.487338
Abstract:	This article argues that there is a likelihood of inter-State disputes in eastern Africa as natural wealth is discovered in the borderlands. After providing an overview of the current state of eastern African borders the article points out that the escalating transboundary resource disputes are due to the colonial boundary-making errors, undefined and unmarked borders, poor or lack of border management, poor governance, and population bulge. The article uses a number of case studies to contextualize transboundary resource conflicts: the dispute over the Uganda-Democratic Republic of Congo border in the Lake Albert region, Uganda's dispute with the neighbouring countries Kenya and Tanzania over the exploitation of Lake Victoria's resources, and the demarcation of boundaries on Lake Malawi. The article concludes by recommending the establishment of a regional mechanism to address border disputes and a regional framework for managing and sharing transboundary resources. Bibliogr., notes, ref., sum. [Journal abstract]