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“We are dealing here with a hydroelectric dam, we are not building a nuclear plant” : A case study of securitization processes in water cooperation contexts

Müntzing, Frida LU (2022) FKVK02 20221
Department of Political Science
Abstract
In 2011, Ethiopia began the construction of the “Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam” (GERD) in the Blue Nile and in 2020 the first filling took place which escalated tensions in the shared waters and provoked concerns from Egypt and Sudan. The aim of the thesis is to broaden the understanding of water sharing issues by conducting a case study of the GERD developments between 2011 and the beginning of 2022 with a focus on securitization processes. Specific focus is on what characterizes securitization processes in water cooperation contexts and what consequences it has for cooperation. To research this, securitization theories as well as concepts of water security, human security and hydro hegemony will be applied. The method used is a content... (More)
In 2011, Ethiopia began the construction of the “Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam” (GERD) in the Blue Nile and in 2020 the first filling took place which escalated tensions in the shared waters and provoked concerns from Egypt and Sudan. The aim of the thesis is to broaden the understanding of water sharing issues by conducting a case study of the GERD developments between 2011 and the beginning of 2022 with a focus on securitization processes. Specific focus is on what characterizes securitization processes in water cooperation contexts and what consequences it has for cooperation. To research this, securitization theories as well as concepts of water security, human security and hydro hegemony will be applied. The method used is a content analysis of, primarily, letters addressed to the UN from the three countries. What emerged from the material was a securitization process portraying the dam as an existential threat and detrimental to water security and human security while Ethiopia is denying the idea of the GERD as a threat and portrays it as a necessity for the country’s development and survival. The study also concludes that securitization in many cases obstructs cooperation. (Less)
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author
Müntzing, Frida LU
supervisor
organization
course
FKVK02 20221
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Securitization theory, Water security, Human Security, Hydro hegemony, Water cooperation, Blue Nile, Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt
language
English
id
9097586
date added to LUP
2022-10-04 13:30:36
date last changed
2022-10-04 13:30:36
@misc{9097586,
  abstract     = {{In 2011, Ethiopia began the construction of the “Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam” (GERD) in the Blue Nile and in 2020 the first filling took place which escalated tensions in the shared waters and provoked concerns from Egypt and Sudan. The aim of the thesis is to broaden the understanding of water sharing issues by conducting a case study of the GERD developments between 2011 and the beginning of 2022 with a focus on securitization processes. Specific focus is on what characterizes securitization processes in water cooperation contexts and what consequences it has for cooperation. To research this, securitization theories as well as concepts of water security, human security and hydro hegemony will be applied. The method used is a content analysis of, primarily, letters addressed to the UN from the three countries. What emerged from the material was a securitization process portraying the dam as an existential threat and detrimental to water security and human security while Ethiopia is denying the idea of the GERD as a threat and portrays it as a necessity for the country’s development and survival. The study also concludes that securitization in many cases obstructs cooperation.}},
  author       = {{Müntzing, Frida}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{“We are dealing here with a hydroelectric dam, we are not building a nuclear plant” : A case study of securitization processes in water cooperation contexts}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}