Caroline Njuki of the United Methodist Church General Board of Global Ministries.

Photo: T. Abraham/CWS

Water more important that oil in Africa: an interview with Caroline Njuki

May 3, 2007

Caroline Njuki has a wide range of responsibilities for the United Methodist Church's mission program in Africa. Dr Njuki and two colleagues help administer and support health, education and vocation training programs through the General Board of Global Ministries (GBGM). Njuki serves on the Africa Forum of Church World Service, which makes her conversant with the organization's campaign for community owned and operated water supplies, and training for community-based advocacy. CWS recently expanded its Water for All education and advocacy campaign to Mozambique, which is rebuilding after 16 years of civil war. There, Church World Service is helping consolidate a culture of peace by providing wells in exchange for weapons handed over by demobilized soldiers, their families and communities. CWS asked Njuki how the availability of water affects security in Africa.

Njuki: Water is more important than oil in Africa. It's vital to security in Africa. If we don't plan now as to how to use water effectively and properly the next war will be over water, not oil. Water is vital for agriculture, and for daily survival. It takes up a large part of the daily life of the people, whether it's walking four miles to the source of water in rural areas or 600 people lining up to get water at a tap in an urban center. There are a whole lot of issues involved. Obviously if there's not enough, it will result in conflict.

CWS: Can you give an example of an ongoing conflict involving water.

Njuki: The Nile is the lifeline for a lot of countries. It flows all the way down to Egypt and the Nile Basin. At the time of independence from the British in the 60's, an agreement was made between the countries that live along the Nile that they would not detract from the flow to Egypt. In the past there's been wrangling about the use of this water. It is so sensitive that it can result in the biggest conflict in the region. Fortunately there have been some negotiations about the use of Nile waters. Although Egypt is the final recipient, countries through which it flows also need its waters urgently, but their access is limited by the agreement. In arid northern Kenya in 2006, there were tribal conflicts as a result of water, resulting in some deaths. If countries along the Nile decide they are so desperate for water and go against the agreement, it has potential for an uprising that could put the problems of the Middle East in the shade. It would involve five or six countries including Ethiopia, Sudan and Uganda. Fortunately the countries involved have been level-headed and have been in ongoing negotiations. They were still negotiating last year. But if they fail, there's a very real fear of major conflict.

CWS: What would you consider one flashpoint for future conflict?

In Lake Victoria and many other lakes, the water level is very low. These lakes are not only a source of water but of fish as well. When water is depleted, fish stocks are also diminished and people have to look somewhere else for this resource. Internal conflicts are also going to escalate due to lack of water, as people look in other areas for water and try to assert power over other to control the available resources of water.

CWS: Is there an instance where attention to water defused a conflict or resolved it?

Njuki: GBGM dug a well in Uganda's Busoga District three years ago. There were some misconceptions about its ownership. Conflict was avoided when it was realized that this was a well for the whole community and not for either Muslims or Christians only. Peace continues as people realize it's a community well. The dynamics of conflict over water can be religious or secular. Water can tear people apart or bring them together.

CWS: How do development, tourism, industrialization, globalization and privatization affect the availability of water in Africa?

Njuki: Africa has many natural beauties resulting from water: Murchison Falls in Uganda, and Victoria Falls on the Zimbabwe-Zambia border. Water also supports a lot of animal life, especially fish. Like diamonds, it has both positives and negatives. Overuse and pollution are some of the negatives. Tourism poses other problems. For Africans, two gallons a day is enough for a family of three. Much water is used for building tourist resorts. Tourists use about five gallons per shower. They flush toilets about five times a day. All this overuse puts stress on water resources and other material resources. As we open up to markets there's a lot of commercialization. Industries that cut and fillet fish discard fins and other parts all over. Oil and gasoline products are dumped in the rivers. There are no controls on emissions or dumping. But there are positive results as well: more people are getting employed and finding work in these places. Export opportunities increase. Countries are exposed to other ways of life. People see themselves vis-à-vis the world they live in. Tourism allows people to sell their products to hotels and get more income.

CWS: Are governments giving enough attention to water?

Njuki: Not enough. Many countries in Africa are not aware of, or concerned about, the Nile, for instance. But people as a whole are concerned about when rains don't come or if there's flooding.

CWS: How do you rate CWS interventions, programs and advocacy regarding water in Africa?

Njuki: CWS is doing a great job looking for solutions. But the solutions take a long time; it's a process of trial and error. Advocacy also takes a long time to achieve results. CWS is doing a lot of advocacy and sensitization, but it's difficult to reach the multinational corporations, the big players. Many times they are the source of pollution and other problems.