Exploring the challenges and opportunities for the management of shared watercourses: The case of the Orange - Senqu River Commission

Abstract

The term “shared watercourses”, also referred to as transboundary watercourses, refers to watercourses that extend across multiple countries. As noted by Petersen-Pelman et al. (2017), approximately 60% of the world’s freshwater resources are situated in these shared watercourses. Consequently, the responsible management of these shared watercourses is imperative to maintain their well-being, ensure benefits for all member states, and prevent conflicts among them. Numerous countries sharing water resources have endeavoured to establish legal frameworks for the governance of these watercourses. The primary instruments for managing shared watercourses on a global scale are the 1997 UN International Watercourses Convention and the Helsinki rules (1966). Within the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Region, the Protocol for Shared Watercourses in the SADC region serves as a key tool for managing such resources. This protocol has led to the creation of various water commissions, including the Limpopo River Commission (LIMCOM), Zambezi River Commission (ZAMCOM), and Orange Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM). The research explores the challenges and opportunities for the management of shared watercourses within the Orange Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM). The study followed a qualitative research methodology with semi-structured interviews as the instrument for soliciting data. Purposive sampling was implemented to determine the research participants who were the ORASECOM task team members. The challenges for implementing the ORASECOM Agreement range from legal and regulatory challenges, political and diplomatic challenges, technical and infrastructural challenges, environmental and legal challenges, economic and financial challenges, capacity building challenges and monitoring and evaluation challenges. The research went on to explore the opportunities or potential benefits that can be reaped out of successful implementation of the ORASECOM Agreement. The research findings and literature revealed the strategies on how to overcome the challenges for implementation of the ORASECOM Agreement. These strategies include numerous dimensions, beginning with the critical role of financial and economic approaches. Securing international funding, diversifying funding sources, and mobilizing resources emerge as pivotal strategies to ensure the agreement’s financial sustainability. Capacity building and institutional strengthening, both in terms of technical proficiency and community engagement, are underscored as essential components. Recommendations and future research areas were suggested based on the research findings. Recommendations include improving on community participation and involvement, securing financial resources for the implementation of the ORASECOM Agreement as well as learning from successful environmental management reforms practices in other shared watercourses. Moreover diplomacy, well-organized action plans, adaptability, and consistent communication, harmonizing the laws can be used to increase solidarity in shared water resources management. Use of financial tools and investments necessary for infrastructure development making educational and training investments in task team members, increased research, delineation of aquifers, monitoring evaluation of ground water, as well as data sharing among member states regarding ground water information should be considered. These recommendations also form a basis for future research areas.