The impact of Kenya-Egypt defence cooperation on Nile Basin internecine conflicts

Emmanuel Lotu Ptiony; Susan Namaemba Kimokoti; Elijah Onyango Standslause Odhiambo

doi:10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.3

Authors

Emmanuel Lotu Ptiony Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0009-0009-9064-4814
Dr. Susan Namaemba Kimokoti Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6424-7748
Rev. Dr. Elijah Onyango Standslause Odhiambo Bomet University College, Kenya Author https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4048-3962

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51867/AQSSR.2.4.3

Keywords:

Bilateral Relations, Basin Interdependence Conflicts, Defense Cooperation, Internecine Conflicts, Nile Basin

Abstract

Power asymmetries frequently compound basin politics, raising the question of how to manage with riparian hegemons, such as those in the Rhine, Tigris-Euphrates, Turkey, Egypt, India, and China, in addition to Nigeria or South Africa. These hydro hegemons often refuse to be drawn into mutual multilateral basin fora, preferring to deal with weaker partners individually on a bilateral basis. Despite the coexistence of security collaborations, basin-internecine conflicts have continued unabated, thus raising significant concerns.The concurrent existence of defense cooperation initiatives and water-related tensions between Kenya and Egypt poses challenges in balancing security interests and resolving disputes over shared water resources. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of Kenya-Egypt defense cooperation on Nile Basin internecine conflict. The study was underpinned by structural realism theory, securitization theory, and conflict theory. It was guided by descriptive research design. The study areas were Nairobi, Kenya, and Cairo, Egypt. The total sample size was 225, drawn from a target population of Kenya Defence Forces and Egypt Defence Forces at Berenice military base in Egypt; officials from the Ministry of Defense; officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi and Cairo, Egypt; the Egypt military attaché in Kenya; officials from the International Peace Support Training Centre; Kenya’s High Commissioner in Cairo, Egypt; and Kenya attachés in Cairo, Egypt. Both purposive and convenience sampling were used. Both primary and secondary data collection were used. Data was analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Study findings indicated that the Kenya-Egypt defense cooperation is viewed as an element of a much greater strategy aiming at bolstering the security architecture of the region. Its cooperation with Kenya has been both a solution to the conflict through joint peace efforts, addressing environmental concerns, shared mutual state interests, and regional stability and a causal factor to the Nile internecine conflict through promoting Egyptian hegemony and creating diplomatic hubs. The study recommends that both countries, on a sustainable basis, adopt a dyadic approach in consolidating and coordinating their strategies, devoid of either national interest obscuring the collective security endeavor.

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