Natural Resources and Conflict:
Discussant
Carl Gallegos, AFR/SD
June 7, 2000
There are three points that provide a snapshot of environmental and conflict prevention in Africa. First, environmental cooperation in Africa is occurring. Thirty action plans are in existence, all of which have the goal of establishing conservation priorities and increasing interaction between donors and government. An example is the Nile Basin Initiative, in which ten African countries took the initiative and approached donors (instead of the other way around) about the management of resources from this vital river. Second, the presenter attended a conference on water, sponsored by the US Military. The purpose was to discuss conflict prevention before conflict breaks out. The significance of this event lies in the fact that it was hosted by the US Military, which is becoming increasingly attuned to the idea that non-traditional factors can affect state security. Third, many countries lack effective policies or regulations regarding their natural resources. Because of this, USAID has been helping them to establish policies and regulations to enforce them.
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