Desertification Nation: A Francophone Presence in Senegal
During Times of Water Shortage
Abstract
Introduction
Post Colonialism in Arid Lands (10 pages)
Colonization
The opening section will provide context for the associations around colonialism. It
will explain the history and intentions of most colonial powers. (2 pages)
Post colonialism
Within this section, the theory and unique context of post colonialism will be
explored. This is a mix of historical context as well as the legacy colonialism leaves.
(2 pages)
Water systems in arid countries
This will be an introduction of water use in arid countries and the strategies they’ve
implemented to support populations despite the lack of water. (2 pages)
Define desertification
I will first provide a basic definition of desertification and give an overview of the
key areas globally that it has impacted. (1 page)
2014 IPCC report showing areas at risk of desertification
This report will show the areas most at risk for desertification. (3 page)
Francophone Structures in West Africa (6 pages)
West Africa
This will be an introduction section on historical information about colonialism in
West Africa. I will include French, British and Portuguese practices broadly. This
will only include history necessary and relevant to the topics presented
above/below. (2 pages)
French Colonization
This will be an introduction section on historical information about French
colonialism in West Africa and more specifically in Senegal. How they shaped
infrastructure, settlement patterns and land use. (1 paragraph)
Senegalese Independence
This will provide more specific historical context wherein I will explain the lead up,
process, and transition into Senegalese Independence in relation to how it affected
policy. (1 page)
Climate Patterns in Senegal and Population Response
This section will define climate patterns in Senegal starting pre-colonial times and
continuing to today by listing the time periods of drought and the causes of drought,
as we understand them. This section will also include societal shifts as a byproduct
of drought (such as migration to urban settings from rural communities). (2 pages)
Senegalese Climatic Disasters and Responses (9 pages)
Drought in 1970s
A closer look at the droughts during the 1970s in Northern Senegal starting with an
overview of the disaster, followed by the response to droughts. The report will
review the desertification of Northern Senegal, the response to droughts including
the migration from rural to urban living situations and increased pressure on
existing infrastructure. (5 pages)
Responses to Senegal’s 1970 drought internationally
A brief overview of the international response, primarily French. (1 page)
Pipeline break September 2013 (compare urban and rural)
This will be an in-depth analysis of how the pipeline broke that provides water for
Dakar, the affected populations, the response of individuals and the Senegalese
government. (2 pages)
International response to 2013 pipeline break
France, China, and Germany all provided aid both for clean drinking water and in
repairing the pipeline. (1 page)
Politics, Power, Infrastructure, Decision Making: A Comparison (6 page)
Colonial legacy of drinking water infrastructure
A section of comparing and contrasting the ways in which colonial water
distribution practices play a role in times of water shortage. (2 pages)
Water distribution/rights
This section will determine the parties that had access to water during the two
previously identified times of shortage and how water rights were determined. (2
pages)
French Involvement in Senegal’s Drinking water
This will be an analysis of how France has defined the drinking water infrastructure
currently in Senegal including politically, financially and aid provided. (1 page)
Transparency of French Participation
The legacy of French colonialism in terms of current French involvement in
Senegalese water distribution. I will examine how this involvement is shown in
political forums and through French financial aid organizations. (1 page)
Opinions of French aid in Senegalese-Media (7 pages)
Press in Senegal
This section will analyze how French involvement has been framed and perceived in
the news within Senegal. (2 pages)
Literature review of Le Cycle de Secheresse
I will next evaluate the portrayal of French aid during times of drought through a
famous Senegalese book of short stories that shows the way drought affected
various classes in rural and urban settings. This will be a literature review. (2 pages)
Interviews
This portion will review the Senegalese academic (my professors in Dakar) opinion
on French involvement via aid during times of water shortage disaster. The
interviews I have conducted are with Cheikh Sow (author of Le Cycle de Secheresse),
a global development professor at the University of Dakar, a water treatment
analyst in a rural township, and a municipal director of SDE (the French water
distribution company). (3 pages)
Ongoing Ties Between Senegal and France During Times of Water
Shortage (7 page)
French Neocolonialism in Senegal
How Senegal continues to be influenced by France given the ties that France has to
necessary resources such as water. (2 pages)
Climactic Vulnerability in Senegal
Times of vulnerability point out the underlying influence that France has within
Senegalese resource management. (2 pages)
Desertification Discourses
The determining factors between open aid and less publicized support given by
France in Senegal. This addresses who has narrated the events and the discourses
around climate patterns in Senegal. (1 page)
Tension within Senegal
This section will explore identity tensions held by the Senegalese between idealizing
and vilifying French influences. (1 page)
Exceptions
Ways in which parts of the above research does not adhere to above theory. (1
page)
Neocolonialism in Arid Regions (6 pages)
Colonial and Post Colonial Theory
This section will tie in the case study of Senegal into bigger theories around
colonialism/post colonialism. (2 pages)
Water Rights/Policy
This section will look at the laws that are present and the morality of who has rights
to the water in Senegal and how this can be applied elsewhere. (1 page)
Transparency of Press
How does the press affect perceptions of problems globally? (1 page)
Moral Responsibility
Who is responsible for fair water distribution and aid? (2 pages)