Between 1980 and 1982, as part of President Barre’s “scorched earth” policy, government troops demolish water-points and berkads (catchments) in many of the towns and villages of Mudug and neighboring Nugal.
Regular destruction of power lines from Cahora Bassa Dam during fight for independence in the region. Dam targeted by RENAMO (the Mozambican National Resistance).
Pro-apartheid council cuts off water to the Wesselton township of 50,000 blacks following protests over miserable sanitation and living conditions.
The Civilian Cooperation Bureau, a covert South African unit, is accused of an attempt to infect the water supply of a refugee camp in Dabora, Namibia, with cholera and yellow fever. The attempt is thought to fail due to the high chlorine content in the water.
Cuban and Angolan forces launch an attack on Calueque Dam via land and then air. Considerable damage inflicted on dam wall; power supply to dam cut. Water pipeline to Ovamboland cut and destroyed.
The Orma and Degoodi clans wage war over grazing land and water due to a severe drought, with 10 fatalities.
In October 1993, violence erupts in the Narok district of Kenya’s Rift Valley province. Maasai warriors attack immigrant Kikuyu settlers and massacre at least 17 of them, after Kikuyi settlers allegedly mutilated Maasai cattle. 16 more Kikuyus are killed in other parts of Narok and the rest of the Kikuyu population is forced out of the area and into refugee camps. Environmental concerns played a central role: a few months previously, the Narok County Council had declared Enosupukia, the site…
In Nigeria’s “Middle Belt,” dozens are killed in tensions between farmers and pastoralists over the use of farmland, grazing fields, and water sources.
In Mozambique, unidentified armed groups sabotage waterworks and burn houses of civilians.
The Mauritania government breaks up protests of water and electricity prices.