Blog 2 - Water and Protests: how are water resource challenges in North Africa prompting social and political response?

North Africa is the northern part of the African continent, surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. The region’s countries extend from the Mediterranean climate zone to the arid zone (Droogers 2012). North Africa, along with the Middle East, is the most water scare region worldwide which is causing significant impact on its development (Droogers 2012). It contains only 1.4% of the global freshwater ressources and water availabililty is of 1200m3/person/year approximately which naturally implies a high water stress in the countries (see doc.1) (ECOMENA 202). 

National Water Stress Rankings
(highlights on North African scores) 

The main common characteristics in the management of water resources across North African countries is the unsustainable water consumption, untreated wasterwater and pollution of surface water. In each state, water withdrawals are occurring at a faster rate than it is naturally replenished or water withdrawals are already excuted on non-renewable water reserve, which puts considerable pressure on existing water resources (WorldBank 2020). This situation comes in addition to the severe decrease in groundwater recharge and irregularities in surface water, the access to reliable supply for agriculture, industries and domestic use has been compromised (World Bank 2020). The FAO estimates that 58% of the renewable water resources in North Africa will be used for food production by 2030 which will require important policies change for an efficient and sustainable management of water resources (Droogers 2012). 

While governments are aiming to address the situation through long term projects which will be discussed in future posts, population are still the first exposed to water issues. Indeed, water shortage, droughts, contamination and sudden supply interruption can cause important or violent social responses, blaming inefficient governance. 

Morocco 

Women leading the 2017 Protest for Water 

in Zagora

In Morocco, from October 2020 to January 2021, the city of Agadir and villages in the Souss region experienced water cuts between 10pm and 5am everyday due to consecutive droughts in the region. The summer of 2021 also experienced important water shortage in 53 water centers, a mainly in rural areas, according to the ONEE. Multiple villages and small cities held protests across the country over frequent and continuous cuts of consumable water (Media24 2021). 

 

Citizens of Alger
organization water distribution

Algeria

Algeria was forced to impose water rationing measures during June 2021 in Alger, the capital city. The city was divided in three parts each receiving water at a set time with set quantities. The water cuts triggered multiple road blocking and protests across 10 wilayas (in the three parts of the city). 

 

Libya 

90% of Libya is desert land leaving Libya’s main water source as groundwater which accounts for 97% of its water source. The four main aquifers are in Kufra, Sirt, Morzuk and Hamada , but the last three are close to complete depletion due to an unsustainable use over the years . Protest over water shortage and electricity cuts for 20 hours per day were held in August 2020 Tripoli and are likely to happen in 2021 across the country due to the worrying depletion of the aquifers. 

 

Tunisia 

Tunisia’s water shortage is due to a poor and old water storage and transportation infrastructure which creates a lost of 164.3 million m3 water/year out of the 625.5 million distributed. Dams’ levels also reduced by 43.9% in 2021. Road blocking and protest were held from June to August 2021 across the country, with hotspot in Sidi Bouzid and Amdoun, over frequent water and electricity cuts. 

Egypt 

Pollution along the side of the River Nile 

In Egypt on 5 June 2021, Mohammed Ghanem, Minister of Water and Irrigation warned on Egypt’s increasing water scarcity as the available water resources reached 55 billion m3 (Egypt share of the Nile) out of the 114 billion m3 needed due to conflict with Sudan against Ethiopia over sharing of the Nile. Ethiopia's second filling of the GERD reservoir in July and August 2021 decreased by 20 billion m3 Egypt’s available water from this source. Egypt and Sudan are currently in conflict with Ethiopia, accusing the country of breaching the 2015 Nile sharing agreement by initiating unilateral consumption measures.