NSPC 2025 Intern Examines African Water Statecraft in New Article
March 25, 2026“Water is not merely a source of conflict, but a powerful instrument of statecraft.”
– Adam Koussih
Adam Koussih, a 2025 NSPC summer intern, has published a new article examining water statecraft in the Horn of Africa.
Published by The Horn Report, a political risk advisory organization and think tank, “The Upstream Advantage: Water Statecraft in the Horn of Africa” analyzes how control over shared water resources, particularly in the Nile Basin, is reshaping regional power dynamics. Water, often framed as a source of conflict, is increasingly emerging as a strategic tool that influences diplomacy, security, and economic development across borders.
Adam’s article highlights how upstream states, particularly Ethiopia, are leveraging their geographic position and investments in large-scale water infrastructure to shape downstream water access. Through projects such as dam construction and water management systems, upstream actors are gaining new forms of leverage, reinforcing water’s role as a strategic asset in regional affairs.
Key dynamics Adam highlights include:
- Upstream advantage shapes power: Control over river flow gives upstream states leverage over downstream countries.
- Water as statecraft: Infrastructure projects like dams function as tools of political influence, not just development.
- Resource control drives tension and negotiation: Competition over shared water resources is central to regional diplomacy and security dynamics.
Importantly, the article highlights that while water statecraft introduces new sources of tension and competition, it also underscores the growing importance of negotiation and coordination in managing shared resources.
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