French below/ Version Française plus bas Only one-third of rivers remain free-flowing, largely due to dams. Globally, large hydropower dams have displaced up to 80 million people and compromised the livelihoods of 472 million more downstream. Although dams are on the decline in most parts of the world, in Africa, there is an incline in planned…
Read MorePRESS RELEASE | Namibia at an Energy Crossroads: continue relying on climate-risky hydropower or harness its abundant and cost-effective renewables
TMP Public electricity sector assessment demonstrates that solar and wind represent the least-cost pathway to meeting Namibia’s current and future energy demand FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2023 Media contacts: Aqeelah Hassen, Communications and Campaigns Coordinator, International Rivers, ahassen@internationalrivers.org Windhoek, Namibia – Today, International Rivers and EarthLife Namibia released a study by TMP Public on…
Read MoreMapping Community Protocols with Himba Leaders – Part Two
By Aqeelah Hassen, Africa Program Communications and Campaigner International Rivers, Natural Justice, Himba community committee members and two researchers from the Kunene region convened in Windhoek, Namibia for the second Community Protocol workshop last August. The workshop started with a recap of the purpose of the Community Protocol and then focused on preparing committee members…
Read MoreProtecting Rights of the Himba Indigenous Community and Kunene River through Community Protocols
by Siziwe Mota, International Rivers Africa Program Director of International Rivers and introduction by Nalori Chakma, South Asia Senior Programme Coordinator, Transboundary Rivers of South Asia Introduction Globally, Indigenous rights to self-determination in relation to their rights to lands, territories and resources have been gaining support and attention at different levels. However, despite this a…
Read MoreGuinea is at a crossroads in meeting its energy needs and respecting rights
New study shows solar alternatives would cost less and outperform the proposed Koukoutamba Dam in Guinea by Josh Klemm & Ibrahima Kalil Bamba During a trip to Guinea last month, International Rivers and Centre de Commerce International pour le Développement (CECIDE) hosted a launch event for our latest study, “The feasibility of solar PV to…
Read MoreInga 3: Too High a Cost for both South Africa and the DRC (French & English)
By: Aqeelah Hassen, Africa Program On Thursday the 17th of February International Rivers with partners Womin, Femmes Solidaires (FESO) and Coalition des Organisations de la Société Civile pour le Suivi des Réformes et de l’Action Publique (CORAP) launched the Inga too High a Cost report in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The report assesses the…
Read MorePress Release | South Africa’s energy crisis: New study confirms Inga 3 hydropower would cost South Africans an extra R10 billion per year
Today, International Rivers and WoMin African Alliance published a new report, INGA 3: Too High a Cost – A study of the Socio-Economic Costs of the Inga 3 Dam for South Africa. The study, conducted by financial experts from UK-based TMP Systems, provides the first authoritative accounting of the true costs to South Africa of…
Read MoreSTATEMENT | Fortescue Metals Group’s Plan to Develop Grand Inga Hydro Scheme Won’t Deliver Green Energy for DRC
International Rivers expresses its profound concerns over the announcement that Fortescue Metals Group (FMG) has entered into an agreement with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to develop the Grand Inga project for hydrogen production. As noted by concerned observers in DRC, the FMG deal bypasses key procedural requirements to ensure that…
Read MorePRESS RELEASE | South Africa and DRC plan to press ahead with Inga 3 in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Democratic Republic of Congo has just concluded a week-long conference on the beleaguered Grand Inga Dam Project, restating the commitment from South Africa to purchase 5000MW of electricity from the proposed project. Meanwhile, back home the SA Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy is reported to be pressing ahead with their…
Read MoreCovid-19 Impacts in the Democratic Republic of Congo: Crisis to Opportunities Series
By: Siziwe Mota, Africa Programs Director The global Covid-19 crisis has shed a light on the deep-seated inequities in the way our rivers and the people who depend on them are treated. With the exposure created by this crisis comes an opportunity. As International Rivers adapts to current circumstances, we are strengthening our support network…
Read MoreWith a new dam proposed on the Kunene River, the Himba people mobilize to permanently protect their lifeblood
By: Siziwe Mota, Africa Program Director The Kunene River forms part of Namibia’s border with Angola. The idea of damming the Kunene dates back as far as when the Germans occupied Namibia and there have since been a number of dams and weirs on the river. In 1991, the Namibian and Angolan governments began exploring…
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