Aqua Conflict, Resource Curse and the Challenge of International Cooperation among African States

Water is a fundamental resource for national and international development. Over the years, many countries of the globe have continued to expand its access to rich aqua resources within its sovereign border and beyond. This study, which used resource curse theory outlines the causes, trends and nature of aqua-conflict in Africa. The qualitative research adopts purposive sampling method to documents how resource competition has become topical in the bilateral and multilateral relations of states across the continent. The study found that the quest for strategic advantage in the aqua-relations amongst African countries has negatively affected the international cooperation posture of many states, thereby undermining regional integration and continental development. The study therefore recommends increased interventions by African Union, as well as other governmental and non-governmental organisations from different parts of the world in order to curb the growing threat to African development.