Understanding the causes of water conflicts in the Afar region of the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia: a hermeneutic study of parties’ perspectives

Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used in this work to investigate the causes of the frequent water-related conflicts in the Afar region of Ethiopia. Ten contributing factors were identified from the perspectives of leaders of the Issa and Afar communities, as well as senior management staff of government agencies involved in water resources management and related sectors. While the notion of ‘water conflicts’ remains a subject of ongoing debate, with some scholars questioning the idea of water wars, this study highlights significant catalysts specific to the Afar region. Water scarcity due to drought, water pollution from human activities, and entrenched ancestral and community rivalry were found to be the three most impactful factors driving the water crisis in the region. The study also uncovered divergences in the perceptions of community leaders and government agencies regarding key conflict drivers and the risks associated with them. It recommends the integration of dagu – the traditional system of information dissemination – into future water conflict prevention and resolution policy frameworks. The findings of this study can assist policymakers and stakeholders in Ethiopia and other water-stressed regions in developing sustainable water management strategies that promote equitable resource access and mitigate conflict risks.