East Africa: Shared Resources, Waters Spark Off Disputes as Region Discovers Oil, Gas

Oct 27, 2014 | John Mbaria, The East African
View Original

The global scramble for resources, particularly as it affects the hydrocarbons and fish sectors in East Africa, could degenerate into conflict, thereby jeopardise ongoing economic integration.

At the heart of this scramble are huge reserves of oil, natural gas and other minerals that are vital to the global economy.

Often overlooked is the fact that the regional waters — particularly the Western Indian Ocean — teem with millions of tonnes of tuna and other marine resources, that have continued to feed populations in industrialised countries and in which the global interest has risen over the past decade.