| dc.description.abstract | The study investigates the real and potential conflicts generated by the Lake Victoria water
hyacinth, and their implications for international environmental conflict management
including the regional and international relations of the three East African countries.
The study reaches the following conclusions: Firstly, although the water hyacinth generated
conflicts are latent or convert and may only be evident in a given context, the problem must
be tackled from a regional perspective. Secondly, Lake Victoria will never be freed of the
water hyacinth until other problems inflicting Lake Victoria are solved.
The study further establishes that conflicts generated by the water hyacinth are manifested
and expressed in terms of differences in the control and management strategies. Most of the
conflicts occur because of the lack of shared vision among the three East African countries,
as each has different aspirations exclusive of the others. Thus, the infestation of Lake Victoria
by the water hyacinth presents radically different meanings to different groups of people.
This has given rise to different approaches to the management ofthe problem. Lake Victoria
Environmental management project as a regional institutional framework has been put in
place to manage the water hyacinth problem. However, on its own, it is not adequate to
effectively manage the problem.
The study confirms that there are alternative existing institutional frameworks for the
management of the water hyacinth other than LVEMP. However, each institution requires
either broadening, integration or strengthening to be inclusive of all, if not most of the
countries in the Lake Victoria, Kagera and Nile basins.
The study concludes that since Lake Victoria, the Nile and River Kagera basins are
ecologically intertwined, any examination and management strategy that ignores their
ecological interdependence would be incomplete. The sustainable and integrated
development of Lake Victoria can only be accompanied by close regional cooperation and
other appropriate measures. Because of the various inter-linkages between the problems
affecting Lake Victoria, it is logical and reasonable to assume that conflicts generated by the
water hyacinth will exist for some time. -
The study makes the case that the management of the water hyacinth should involve all the
riparian and non riparian stakeholders in the management of the three basins. It would also
be advisable in the long term to have an international agreement to govern integrated
management of the three basins. This agreement should ensure that all actions taken to
manage and conserve Lake Victoria in any particular country would not result in conflict with
other countries of the basin.
The study advocates a systematic monitoring and exchange of information and
standardization of methods for the management of all water flowing into and out of Lake
Victoria. This would only be possible if there are political will and cooperation at all levels
which are a prerequisite for the enhancement, promotion and realization of the three East
African states in their endeavour to manage the water hyacinth problem. | en |
