Migingo – The Island That Could Spark a War
Published by Rask Balavoine on August 21, 2009 in Africa-
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A question of sovereignty.
So what about this ugly-looking, wart-like island protruding from the murky waters of Lake Victoria? And what’s with the shanty town that clings to the rocky nob like barnacles on the upturned hull of a capsized boat?
An international stand-off has been brewing for months and could escalate to full blown war because of this tiny little bit of rock which has an area of less than an acre. People have made their homes there and have been reaping the rewards of their endeavours as fishermen because that particular bit of Lake Victoria, the largest tropical lake in the world, is deep and rich with stocks of fish. It currently “belongs” to Uganda.
Until 5 or so years ago no-one cared about Migingo. All was well until someone noticed that the one fisherman who lived there was landing incredible catches of fish and then everyone wanted to live on Migingo. The situation has been made more pressing because the fish stocks elsewhere in Lake Victoria are dwindling thanks to pollution and over-fishing. People came from neighbouring islands and from the Ugandan and Kenyan mainland and even from Tanzania
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Tensions have risen ever since, with Uganda laying claim to the island and 80% of the population being Kenyan. Extortion, piracy and theft thrive as everyone tries to make a living or a killing, and the idyllic atmosphere enjoyed in 2002 when the first house was built has vanished to be replaced by tin huts, brothels and other pollutants.
Now the squabble has reached ministerial level in both countries and the joint border commission is trying to sort out the mess. Whatever they decide will be bad news, and there is always the possibility of all-out war.
No doubt the USA will have something to say, but so far it has expressed no feelings one way or another. I wonder how long that will last. I dare say the redoubtable Hilary Clinton willl feel the need to make a whistle stop tour of the region some day soon.
Rask, Your social awareness articles are of great signifigance to everyone around the globe. That continent as a whole has more earthly resources than most as an understatement. Ms. Clinton has not been the secretary of state for the U.S. and has proved her political motivations do not have the best interest of the U.S. or her committment to the world in her appointed position. Her husband seems to be doing her job for us and who knows where her motivations lie. The area you write this article about has become a hotbed for global crimes that effect us all. Where the hell is the U.S. when we’re really needed? I think we’re to busy fighting the Bush-Cheney quagmyre and should focus our attention on these hotbed areas for the sake of putting out a well fueled fire of madness and deceit. Great article of great concern to me. Well written awareness article my friend. Maybe PBS Global News and World Reports should start giving you the assignments. You seem to articulate these issues with great concern as well. A+ article Rask!
Very interesting – I had no idea that this island existed (but then I thought that the Falkland islands were situated off the coast of Scotland until that particular war!). Hopefully it won’t come to that here but I have a bad feeling about this one….
I have blogged this at http://www.webphemera.com with full links etc. Thanks!
Very nice article sir. Didn’t even know about this stuff until u mentioned somethin about it.
good article,but migingo is part of kenyan heritage. i love your stuff though.