Concluding post

In this final post, I would like to reflect on what I have learned in the last three months about North Africa. I investigated the Western Sahara debate that I was never truly aware of. I learned about the Great Manmade River in Libya, and I discovered the processes of fracking and virtual water trading. I finally discovered the hidden presence of France in North Africa, which was insightful considering I am French (posts 5, 6, 7). 

To reflect to my first post, I have tried throughout this blog to explore the whole story by being critical and considering different perspectives. Conducting research was however challenging as little course material covered the area of North Africa. Yet, this challenge gave me more freedom and allowed me to be creative with my topics.

I discovered through this blog different responses to water-scarcity in North Africa. The blog uncovered large-scale water projects that play a key role in meeting the water needs of the region's population, such as through the El Kansera dam in Morocco, the Great Manmade River, or virtual water goods. However, I also investigated that discourses of power were solidly embedded in these projects. I learned that in light of populations' high dependency on water, water is often instrumentalized, and exploited to exert power over others. Yet, water is a basic right, not a belonging. It has no boundaries as it constantly moves in seas, rivers, wetlands, or aquifers.

These findings raise questions. Are exertion of power incentives the only way to successfully meet North African populations’ water needs today?

Further research should focus on studying the effectiveness and true purpose of smaller-scale projects, such as indigenous practices.

I would like to finish this blog on a positive note, as I have been quite critical throughout this platform. Today, although water is very scarce, there is still hope. New renewable practices to provide drinking water emerge in North Africa, such as desalination or treatment of waste water.

Water is precious, and we should learn to treasure it.