By Joseph Price
The UN’s highest court, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), has recently been assessing two legal cases concerning geopolitical disputes between Chile and Bolivia. The first of these relates to Bolivia’s historic loss of maritime territory and access to the Pacific Ocean. This is well documented as an ongoing thorn in Chile-Bolivia relations.
However, in March 2016, a rather less familiar disagreement came to the fore. The water resources of the Silala River in the Atacama Desert, which flows down into Chile from springs in the Bolivian altiplano, have sparked new hostility between the two countries. The river lies in the driest region in the world, where water is critical to livelihoods and mining.
Bolivia president, Evo Morales, claims that Chile has been unlawfully diverting water from the Silala along artificial watercourses to supply copper mining operations. He argues Bolivia has sovereign rights over the natural resources. Conversely, Chile maintains that the Silala constitutes an international river as defined by UN law, and that the channels constructed in the early 1900s are merely consistent with the natural flow of the Silala. Chile raised the profile of the dispute by submitting the case to the UN in July. International experts are currently analysing evidence, having recently met in Bolivia to begin scientific research on the river and its source.
Global trends indicate that water is an increasingly contentious resource, as a result of climate change and increased demands from population growth and industry. Indeed, back in 1999, the former UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Director-General declared: ‘as water becomes increasingly rare, it becomes coveted, and capable of unleashing conflicts’. To a greater extent than land and even oil, he warned, ‘it is over water that the most bitter conflicts of the near future may be fought’.
Access to water – and heightened competition over resources – was believed to be at the root of the Darfur conflict in Sudan. Elsewhere, disagreement over water distribution and the construction of hydroelectric dams is driving discordant relations among Central Asian states. Similarly, water scarcity exacerbates the more violent clashes in the Middle East. While water scarcity alone is rarely found to be the sole cause of conflict, it plays an increasingly important role when overlapping with other political, economic, social, cultural and historical factors.
Both Chile and Bolivia have witnessed smaller scale water-related unrest within their borders between different communities, or involving extractive industries and foreign companies. These types of local conflict are more common than international confrontations; diplomatic tools and institutions such as the ICJ aim to dampen antagonisms between states.
However, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) labels the transboundary Silala watershed as the single ‘high risk’ basin in South America, describing it as ‘one of the most hydropolitically vulnerable basins in the world’. To add to strains, as of Monday 21st November, Bolivia finds itself in a national state of emergency due to drought and severe shortages in water supplies. Parts of La Paz are receiving water only every third day.
Given past and present sensitivities between Chile and Bolivia, and the presence of military installations close to the river, observers will be carefully following the Silala dispute. From a local and global perspective, the outcome of this legal case may be crucial to future Chile-Bolivia relations.
Joseph Price is a research fellow & writer, specialising in natural resources and conflict. He holds an MPhil in International Relations and Politics from the University of Cambridge.
Its like you read my mind! You seem to know so
much about this, like you wrote the book in it or something.
I think that you can do with some pics to drive the message home a little bit, but
other than that, this is wonderful blog. A great read.
I will certainly be back.
Hi there, yeah this post is really fastidious and I have learned lot
of things from it on the topic of blogging. thanks.
Hello. fantastic job. I did not imagine this. This is a great story. Thanks!
776223 192754my English teacher hate me cause i maintain writing about somebody from The WANTED called Jay, she gives me evils and low 562831
You should take part in a contest for one of the best blogs on the web. I will recommend this site!
I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
I’m still learning from you, while I’m trying to achieve my goals. I absolutely love reading everything that is posted on your website.Keep the posts coming. I loved it!
Yeah bookmaking this wasn’t a high risk conclusion great post! .
Excellent website. A lot of useful information here. I am sending it to some friends ans also sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your effort!
I’m really loving the theme/design of your web site. Do you ever run into any browser compatibility problems? A couple of my blog readers have complained about my site not working correctly in Explorer but looks great in Safari. Do you have any recommendations to help fix this issue?
I?¦ve read a few just right stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot attempt you set to create this type of excellent informative web site.
I really enjoy looking through on this site, it contains fantastic articles.
Good post. I be taught something more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to learn content from other writers and observe a little one thing from their store. I’d want to use some with the content material on my blog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link in your net blog. Thanks for sharing.
I got good info from your blog
F*ckin’ awesome things here. I am very glad to see your post. Thanks a lot and i am looking forward to contact you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
You could definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always go after your heart.
I am so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that is at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
This is one awesome article post.Really thank you! Awesome.
I think this website has got some real great info for everyone :D. “The ground that a good man treads is hallowed.” by Johann von Goethe.
909835 279967Its perfect time to make some plans for the future and its time to be pleased. Ive read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some fascinating items or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this write-up. I want to read even more items about it! 552480
Absolutely written articles, Really enjoyed looking at.
Hello there! I know this is kinda off topic however I’d figured I’d ask.
Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa?
My blog discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and I think we could greatly benefit from each other.
If you are interested feel free to shoot me an email.
I look forward to hearing from you! Excellent blog by
the way!
Great website! It looks extremely professional! Sustain the good work! acheter granisetron en Italie
What i do not realize is actually how you are not really much more well-liked than you might be right now. You are very intelligent. You realize therefore significantly relating to this subject, produced me personally consider it from so many varied angles. Its like men and women aren’t fascinated unless it’s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your own stuffs outstanding. Always maintain it up!
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your web site in internet explorer, would test this… IE nonetheless is the market chief and a large component to other folks will miss your fantastic writing because of this problem.
I have been exploring for a little bit for any high quality articles or weblog posts on this sort of space . Exploring in Yahoo I eventually stumbled upon this web site. Studying this information So i’m satisfied to show that I’ve a very excellent uncanny feeling I discovered exactly what I needed. I most unquestionably will make sure to do not overlook this web site and provides it a look regularly.
I have read a few excellent stuff here. Definitely worth bookmarking for revisiting. I wonder how a lot effort you place to create such a magnificent informative site.
Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I hope to give something back and help others like you aided me.
I was suggested this web site via my cousin. I am now not positive whether this put up is written through him as nobody else realize such specified approximately my problem. You are amazing! Thank you!
I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my trouble. You are amazing! Thanks!
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed surfing around your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I gotta favorite this site it seems very beneficial handy
My website: зарубежное порно анал худая с очень большими сиськами
My website: лица анальной боли
This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
I besides believe so , perfectly composed post! .
Perfect piece of work you have done, this internet site is really cool with excellent information.
Everything is very open and very clear explanation of issues. was truly information. Your website is very useful. Thanks for sharing.
great post, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector don’t notice this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you’ve a huge readers’ base already!
There is perceptibly a bundle to identify about this. I suppose you made some good points in features also.
I don’t usually comment but I gotta state appreciate it for the post on this one : D.
You made some first rate points there. I seemed on the web for the issue and located most individuals will go along with together with your website.
It’s hard to find knowledgeable people on this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Hey very interesting blog!
You are my inhalation, I own few blogs and very sporadically run out from to post .
I see something really special in this internet site.
A lot of thanks for every one of your effort on this blog. My aunt delights in carrying out investigations and it’s really obvious why. A number of us learn all concerning the dynamic means you give advantageous tips and tricks through this web blog and in addition inspire response from some other people about this content while my girl is without question studying a great deal. Have fun with the remaining portion of the new year. You are always performing a great job.
I like this weblog very much, Its a rattling nice place to read and receive info .
Loving the information on this internet site, you have done outstanding job on the articles.
I’m still learning from you, but I’m making my way to the top as well. I definitely enjoy reading all that is posted on your site.Keep the posts coming. I enjoyed it!
Excellent web site. Lots of helpful information here. I?¦m sending it to some friends ans additionally sharing in delicious. And naturally, thanks for your effort!
Wow, wonderful weblog format! How long have you been blogging for? you made running a blog look easy. The full glance of your site is excellent, let alone the content!
Awsome article and right to the point. I am not sure if this is actually the best place to ask but do you folks have any ideea where to hire some professional writers? Thank you 🙂