EAST AFRICA’S LAND LOSS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CRISIS FROM PIPELINE

More than 100,000 people in East Africa have permanently lost their land to make way for the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) and the Tilenga oilfield it’s being built to serve. A 2023 report by Human Rights Watch documented widespread issues with compensation, including pressure to accept inadequate amounts and years-long delays in paying compensation, often leaving affected households crippled with debt. “Before our land was taken for the CPF [central processing facility at Tilenga], we used to grow cassava, groundnuts, and maize. This is what I grew my 11 children and my 30 grandchildren on. Now that land is all gone,” one 79-year-old woman, who lost 2.2 hectares (5.4 acres), told HRW interviewers. Other affected families said their compensation wouldn’t be enough to clear their debts.

At its peak level of production, the oil exported through the pipeline will produce 34 million additional metric tons of carbon emissions per year, violating the Paris Agreement commitments of both Uganda and Tanzania. This increase in carbon emissions exacerbates climate change, leading to more severe weather patterns, prolonged droughts, and unpredictable rainfall in the region. East Africa is already experiencing the impacts of climate change, with recent years seeing prolonged droughts that have led to food and water shortages. For example, the 2020-2021 drought in the region affected over 20 million people, causing severe food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in Somalia, Kenya, and Ethiopia. In addition, floods, like those in Kenya in 2020 that displaced over 300,000 people, are becoming more frequent and severe. Such events not only displace communities but also destroy crops, homes, and infrastructure, further exacerbating poverty and instability.

Last year, the faith-based climate justice group GreenFaith reported that TotalEnergies, the French oil giant leading the construction of the pipeline, had disturbed and disrespected more than 2,000 graves in spite of residents’ efforts to alert the company to their presence. EACOP crosses seven forest reserves, two game reserves, and a wildlife management area, impacting nearly 2,000 square kilometers (770 square miles) of protected habitat. The pipeline’s route along Lake Victoria poses severe risks to a critical source of water for 40 million people.

Deforestation required for the pipeline’s construction threatens local biodiversity, as East Africa, particularly Uganda and Tanzania, hosts diverse ecosystems with many endemic species. Deforestation can lead to habitat loss for wildlife, increased carbon emissions from tree removal, and disruption of local water cycles. Furthermore, Lake Victoria is already under stress from pollution and overfishing. The potential for oil spills and leaks from EACOP raises concerns about water contamination, which would affect millions of people relying on the lake for drinking water, agriculture, and fishing.

In response to the environmental risks posed by EACOP, various NGOs and local conservation groups, including www.ecomediaug.com, have intensified their efforts to protect affected habitats. Initiatives include reforestation projects, wildlife protection programs, and community-based conservation strategies aimed at mitigating the impact of the pipeline. The Tilenga oilfield and EACOP pipeline project represent a complex intersection of economic development, environmental sustainability, and social justice. While the promise of economic growth and energy security is appealing, the substantial human and environmental costs cannot be overlooked. As East Africa grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the region’s future will depend on finding a balance that prioritizes both development and the preservation of its natural and human resources.

Despite opposition from local communities and environmental activists, TotalEnergies has continued its development of the Tilenga oilfield. Recent reports indicate ongoing construction and drilling activities, with a focus on reaching production targets by 2025. In early 2024, the EACOP project received additional financial backing from international investors, despite ongoing protests and legal challenges. The governments of Uganda and Tanzania remain committed to the project, citing potential economic benefits, including job creation and energy security.

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