South Africa, Namibia in Talks to Resolve Discord Over Key River
- Countries differ over demarcation of Orange River boundary
- Namibia has the most arid climate in sub-Saharan Africa
The Orange river, in South Africa.
Photographer: Wikus de Wet/AFP/Getty ImagesThis article is for subscribers only.
South Africa and Namibia held talks aimed at resolving a long-running disagreement over rights to the Orange River, a key water source that demarcates the border between the two nations, and were confident the matter could be resolved amicably.
A treaty signed in 1890, when the neighbors were under colonial rule, specifies that the border runs along the northern bank of the river — which would place it under South Africa’s jurisdiction. While Pretoria continued to recognize that demarcation, Namibia wants the the borderline moved to the middle of the river. Water is scare in both countries, a problem exacerbated by climate change.