Managing the Senegal River: National and Local Development Dilemma

The Senegal River is located in West Africa in the Sudano-Sahelian zone. The river has faced various development schemes since the early 1970s, which have not brought the desired results. Many problems stem from the overall lack of economic and human development and weak institutional settings. Droughts and ethnic complexities add to the problem. The environment and local population have continuously been exposed to negative changes. The river developers face a difficult task when choosing the development options for the future. Taking into account all the stakeholders and variables, and adding to these the external demographic and natural challenges, the development actions require weighing complex multiform and interconnected issues. An objective analysis of the development plans is needed in order to avoid repeating past mistakes and to acquire harmonious end results.