German troops poison South African wells
Union of South African troops capture Windhoek, capital of German Southwest Africa in May 1915. Retreating German troops poison wells – “a violation of the Hague convention.”
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German colonial troops poison desert water wells
German colonial troops brutally suppress a rebellion by the Herero people of German South-West Africa (modern-day Namibia). General Lothar von Trotha pledges to exterminate the Herero people in what has become known as the Herero and Namaqua Genocide. The Germans drive ethnic Herero and Namaqua populations into the Namib desert leading to massive death from dehydration and starvation; they also reportedly poison desert water wells. Later, the UN estimates that up to 100,000 were killed, or 70% of the Herero…
British defend South African dam
President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia calls on British government to send troops to Kariba Dam to protect it from possible saboteurs from Rhodesian government.
Ethiopia and Somali nomads fight for desert water
Creation of boundaries in 1948 leaves Somali nomads under Ethiopian rule; border skirmishes occur over disputed territory in Ogaden desert where critical water and oil resources are located; cease-fire is negotiated only after several hundred are killed.
Military encounters between Cameroon and Niger over the recession of Lake Chad
Starting in the 1980s, rapid recession of Lake Chad draws Nigerian fishermen farther into Cameroonian territory, leading to several military encounters. By the 1990s, more than thirty Lake Chad villages are founded by Nigerians are counted in Cameroon. In 2002, the border dispute goes to the International Court of Justice, which rules in Cameroon’s favor.
While battling insurgents, the Ethiopian military destroys basic civilian water wells and water sources
During the so-called “Secret Wars” in southeast Ethiopia, water wells are destroyed and poisoned by Ethiopian troops in an attempt to halt insurgents. The Ethiopian military is thought to have been advised in applying these tactics by Soviet and Cuban officials.
Bacteriological agent used to poison groundwater and surface water in Mozambique
An unidentified bacteriological agent is found in groundwater and surface water sources in Mozambique. Sources report that the Rhodesian government had deposited the agent to target the black population in the country.
South Africa takes over Angolan dam
South African troops move into Angola to occupy and defend the Ruacana hydropower complex, including the Gove Dam on the Kunene River. Goal is to take possession of and defend the water resources of southwestern Africa and Namibia.
Mozambique targets dam in fight vs. South Africa
Regular destruction of power lines from Cahora Bassa Dam during fight for independence in the region. Dam targeted by RENAMO (the Mozambican National Resistance).
Lesotho coup partly over water
South Africa supports a bloodless coup by Lesotho’s defense forces. Immediately afterward, the two countries agree to share water from the Highlands of Lesotho, following 30 years of unsuccessful negotiations. There is disagreement over the degree to which water was a motivating factor for either party.