Many Wars Are for Control of Scarce Resources
East African Standard
May 23, 2007
Responsible management of resources is linked to peace and security.
Indeed, many conflicts are caused by competition over national resources. This is partly because as resources become more scarce or as people become selfish, greedy and corrupt, there is a drive by the powerful and the privileged to control them at the exclusion of others.
Unfortunately, those who feel excluded look for means to seek justice and dignity. That is how dissatisfaction begins and is nurtured until conflicts, clashes and wars emerge. There is, therefore, need to educate ourselves about the link between the environment and peace and security.
If the link was appreciated, many conflicts would be pre-empted. The environment would be a priority in national budgets and development plans. But the link is poorly understood and many people are unwilling to consider it. The environment is still treated as a luxury, drawing attention only when it is to be exploited to provide timber or land.
People look at forests, for example, and see land and shambas, rather than a resource that provides primary services such as water, regulates climate and rainfall, cleans the air and is a habitat for wildlife. Because the environment is not adequately appreciated, governments would rather prioritise the Internal Security ministry and buy guns and bullets.
Peace cannot be found where the voice of the minorities, the poor and the powerless are ignored and marginalised. These ills are not accidents. They are allowed and tolerated by leaders who refuse to be fair and just. They refuse to manage national resources sustainably and distribute them equitably.
When resources are not sustainably managed, they may be polluted, excessively exploited and destroyed by greedy and corrupt individuals and organisations. When they are not equitably shared, extreme poverty is tolerated amid excessive wealth. When this happens, the community that feels excluded may accept discrimination and injustice as their destiny.
But some may seek justice using other means at their disposal. Some opt for violence, destruction and death. For fairness and justice to reign, there is need for a system that allows that to happen. It should be democratic even though that can mean different things to different people.
Whatever it is called, if peace is to be found within national or regional borders, it has to be a system which respects human rights and the rule of law; includes diversity in the society and ensures that the minority have their say even though, in a democracy, the majority might have their way.
There are hardly any wars fought today that are not over the need to expand borders, access and control water, minerals, grazing and agricultural land or access to forests or coastlines. If countries want peace and security, the leadership must work for justice and fairness for all. They must work for equity, human dignity and the rule of law.
One of the resources we should particularly care about is the forest. Not only because forests provide humanity with many services, but also because without them, the long-term life of the nation is undermined. But in Africa, many investors clear indigenous forests and replace them with commercial plantations of imported trees or crops.
This is partly because forests are wetter, more fertile and investors can make quick profits in a short time. We justify the destruction by promising jobs and wealth. But at what cost? Countries must weigh the short-term benefits of quick profits and jobs against the long-term interests of the present and future generations.
Indeed, many conflicts are caused by competition over national resources. This is partly because as resources become more scarce or as people become selfish, greedy and corrupt, there is a drive by the powerful and the privileged to control them at the exclusion of others.
Unfortunately, those who feel excluded look for means to seek justice and dignity. That is how dissatisfaction begins and is nurtured until conflicts, clashes and wars emerge. There is, therefore, need to educate ourselves about the link between the environment and peace and security.
If the link was appreciated, many conflicts would be pre-empted. The environment would be a priority in national budgets and development plans. But the link is poorly understood and many people are unwilling to consider it. The environment is still treated as a luxury, drawing attention only when it is to be exploited to provide timber or land.
People look at forests, for example, and see land and shambas, rather than a resource that provides primary services such as water, regulates climate and rainfall, cleans the air and is a habitat for wildlife. Because the environment is not adequately appreciated, governments would rather prioritise the Internal Security ministry and buy guns and bullets.
Peace cannot be found where the voice of the minorities, the poor and the powerless are ignored and marginalised. These ills are not accidents. They are allowed and tolerated by leaders who refuse to be fair and just. They refuse to manage national resources sustainably and distribute them equitably.
When resources are not sustainably managed, they may be polluted, excessively exploited and destroyed by greedy and corrupt individuals and organisations. When they are not equitably shared, extreme poverty is tolerated amid excessive wealth. When this happens, the community that feels excluded may accept discrimination and injustice as their destiny.
But some may seek justice using other means at their disposal. Some opt for violence, destruction and death. For fairness and justice to reign, there is need for a system that allows that to happen. It should be democratic even though that can mean different things to different people.
Whatever it is called, if peace is to be found within national or regional borders, it has to be a system which respects human rights and the rule of law; includes diversity in the society and ensures that the minority have their say even though, in a democracy, the majority might have their way.
There are hardly any wars fought today that are not over the need to expand borders, access and control water, minerals, grazing and agricultural land or access to forests or coastlines. If countries want peace and security, the leadership must work for justice and fairness for all. They must work for equity, human dignity and the rule of law.
One of the resources we should particularly care about is the forest. Not only because forests provide humanity with many services, but also because without them, the long-term life of the nation is undermined. But in Africa, many investors clear indigenous forests and replace them with commercial plantations of imported trees or crops.
This is partly because forests are wetter, more fertile and investors can make quick profits in a short time. We justify the destruction by promising jobs and wealth. But at what cost? Countries must weigh the short-term benefits of quick profits and jobs against the long-term interests of the present and future generations.