Natural resources as a source of conflicts in Africa Radim Vaľko DIAMONDS Sierra Leone OIL Libya WATER Ethiopia — Kenya borders Ethiopia — Kenya conflit over water resources Ethiopia — Kenya conflits over water resources Ethiopia — Kenya conflits over water resources Ethiopia — Kenya conflits over water resources Ethiopia — Kenya conflits over water resources Ethiopia — Kenya conflits over water resources Resolve: •Governments launched disarmament programmes •Peace and human resources organisations are being involved •Less violence in area Diamonds Diamonds • Also called “Blood Diamonds” • Diamonds are mined in war zones • Global Problem (affects global diamond trade) • Most of the diamonds are not included on international market • 1 carat —2,500 — 18,000$ Main problems • Earnings from diamonds are used for financing militias and rebel groups • Civil wars • Poor conditions fo miners Sierra Leone Charles Taylor and his Bloody diamonds in Sierra Leone • He is warlord • Directly involved in Sierrra Leone civil war • Aiding rebel group exchanging blood diamonds • 2003 — USA put a reward for capturing Charles Taylor • Interpol most wanted list "He killed my ma, he killed my pa, but I will vote for him.” Charles Taylor and his Bloody diamonds in Sierra Leone Are most of the diamonds on the market bloody? • Price depends from which zone it is mined • Diamonds are also part of black market • In 80’s 21% of diamonds were sold through black market Kimberley process • Industry influencing the flow of blood diamonds • Gorvernment-led certification scheme • Applies only on the rough diamonds to get into international Market Oil Oil Oil Oil - Conflict in Libya • Libyan oil situation is shaping its political economy • Oil production plays key role in Libyan civil war • Is oil conflict just impact of Civil war and acts done by Gadaffi? • LNA and other factions are using Oil for setting up their demands • Rebel groups are making Oil blockades causing 80% Lybia economy drop Lybian government x Libyan National Army Gadaffi regime • “Cultural revolution” • Repressions • 30% unemployment "freedom, socialism and unity" Oil conflict in Lybia - latest updates • Oil blockades causing tens of million dollars looses • New prime minister — Fathi Bashaga • Still ongoing conflict Thank you for your attention Source • https://acleddata.com/2014/11/19/resource-related-conflict-in-africa/ • https://www.globalwitness.org/en/campaigns/conflict-diamonds/ • https://www.circleofblue.org/2011/world/water-conflict-violence-erupts-along-ethiopias-and-kenyas-water- stressed-border/ • https://climate-diplomacy.org/case-studies/drought-and-conflict-across-kenyan-ethiopian-border • https://www.usip.org/publications/2011/03/oil-and-turmoil-libya#role • https://www.nsenergybusiness.com/features/libya-oil-blockades/# • https://egyptoil-gas.com/features/oil-politics-fueling-libyas-conflict/ • https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12532929