More than 300,000 members of eight indigenous peoples in the valley of the Omo river (Ethiopia) are threatened since 2006 by Gibe 3 hydroelectric dam, which is being built there with money from China, USA and Italy. The project is facing a strong opposition from local dwellers as well as more than 400 organizations worldwide that have asked Ethiopian authorities to stop the works.

Gibe 3 is the third in a series of dams. The first two have already been built in the northern area of the river, totalling a power output of about 2,500 MW. According the the Government of Ethiopia, the project will cover all domestic energy needs and will also allow the country to export electricity.

Problems and serious irregularities

Southern Omo river and lake Turkana were designated Unesco World Heritage Site because of their archaeological, geological and natural values. Indigenous peoples living there (such as the Bodi, Kwegu, Kara and Nyangatom) are fishermen, hunters and cultivators that have preserved their ancestral culture for thousands of years on the Omo. Their livelihood is adapted to the seasonal flooding of the Omo, which allows the inhabitants to secure their food. The dam will put an end to the seasonal flooding and that will endanger the life of those peoples.

Furthermore, serious irregularities are affecting the project. According to Friends of Lake Turkana association, the project "violates Ethiopian law" given that neither the contract to build the dam was awarded through a competitive tender, nor was prepared a social and environmental impact report. Local populations were not consulted either.

Demonstrations against the project

When the project was known, protests and solidarity with indigenous people were triggered. Environmental organizations around the world and organizations campaigning for the rights of indigenous peoples prevented the European Investment Bank and the African Development bank from financing the dam. There have also been protests (including armed struggle) inside Ethiopia and Kenya. A demonstration in Nairobi on March 22 ended in front of China's embassy. Demonstrators asked Beijing to withdraw economic support for the dam.

(Image: Omo river, in Ethiopia. / Photo: Marc Veraart)

Further information:

• Sudan Tribune: Hundreds of groups join in protest against Ethiopia's mega-dam
• Stop Gibe 3 campaign