Botala Boloso, Jorge December 7, 2006 Geol. 335 Fall 2006, Dr.

Williams Doug

Illegal Dumping: The biggest Terror Plot against Africa

Topics:
I. Introduction: Africa a necropolis for illegal waste II. Why Africa? (1) Historical Wounds and neocolonialism (2) Role of the Authorities (3) Economic Pressure (4) Impact of waste on Wars and other Socio-economical and Political Upheavals III. Waste IDs, Sources, and Eventual Destination: The Somali/Ivory Coast Scandals (examples) IV. Impact of Illegal dumping: a) Environmental impact: Wildlife Depletion, deforestation, b) Social Impact: Diseases, air, water, and soil Depletion. c) Economical Impact: Depletion of key natural resources (beaches) V. Laws and Regulations: The Bamako convention (Mali) VI. Analysis and Conclusions: No charity for the cost of illegal dumping in Africa (no superfund project).

Abstract: Up to date, there are still many issues in relation to Africa that remain concealed to the public. On this remark, the dumping of toxic waste into the continent of Africa remains a taboo, or a topic that many people may not be aware of these days. However, this activity represents a major thread that can cripple the development of many human societies and/or other species of plants and animals in Africa during the next decades. In addition, among other factors, illegal dumping can also be held accountable for the rapid deterioration of the natural habitat in Africa. Furthermore, illegal dumping can also be included in the list of factors that contribute to the economical hardship and the propagation of diseases throughout Africa. Moreover, illegal dumping can also be link to many other complex issues that are beyond the scope of this paper. In this paper, I will mostly focus on the effects that illegal dumping is producing in many societies across African.

I. Introduction: Unfortunately, Africa is been used as the worlds necropolis for the dumping of toxic materials. Nowadays, it is been obvious that this activity has become one of the leading factors that contribute to the hasty deteriorating environment in Africa. In fact, the effects of illegal dumping can be felt throughout many regions across Africa. On this remark, many rivers, valleys, lakes, underground aquifers, and other drinking water sources have been polluted by chemicals products that are released from toxic waste materials that are illegally dumped into Africa. On the other hand, there is the daily outbreak of unfamiliar diseases that emerge from the direct exposure of humans and animals with contaminated sources. Furthermore, we are all concerned about the current level of deforestation and wildlife depletion worldwide. Therefore, considering this extinction-phobia we currently have with regard to our chances of survival, I doubt that we think about the generations to come, some prominent people around the world including earth scientists, human right organizations, some governments, and many other NGOs and around the world have become more concern with the environment we live in. These organizations have realized about the important of preserving many of the habitat that is available in Africa since many of the species that dwelt in this habitat has been there since the primeval times and is unique to the regions where is found. On the other hand, illegal dumping can also influence the role of the economy and the political structure in Africa.

II. Factors that Contribute to the Illegal Dumping in Africa: Why Africa? In addition, the following is lists of factor that influence illegal dumping in Africa: (a) Historical Wounds and Neocolonialism: Many African societies have not yet recovered from the atrocities that the members that integrated these societies experienced during the Colonial Era. Also, added to this fact is the disgrace that the African people underwent during the period known as Atlantic Trade. These two factors disrupt the development of the African institutions. Therefore, they destabilized the economy of many regions throughout the continent, leaving Africa ever dependent from the outside world. Also, this condition of dependency has been exacerbated in recent decades with the demand of raw materials. Thus, the majority of the industrialized nations have kept an eye over natural resources that are available in Africa and have tried to control these resources using any mean to keep their economy rising. This, in conjunction with many other factors, has been the primary cause of many scandals in Africa, including illegal dumping. (b) Furthermore, the ongoing wars and other socio-economical and political upheavals in Africa makes Africa a save heaven for any sort of illegal activity. (c) In addition, Africas reliance on foreign aid makes it vulnerable for illegal trade. (d) On the other hand, Internal Divisions in Africa can also be blamed to some extend for the lack of progress on human right issues in Africa, giving chance to this type of activities as it is with the case of illegal dumping.

(e) Also, the low cost of illegal dumping in Africa, $ 2.5 per gallon of toxic waste, compared to $250 per gallon in the US and in EEUU is another factor that can also be blame for the disproportionate dumping of illegal waste in Africa.

III. Waste IDs, Sources, and Eventual Destination Generally speaking, countries in Africa have contributed insignificantly to pollute the atmosphere; however, Africa is nowadays the continent with the highest rate of contamination levels in the world record. On the other hand, studies from many agencies dealing with the issue of illegal dumping suggest that many of the sources that contribute to the high contamination level in Africa have come from outside the continent. In addition, some reports point to Europe and the US as the primary contributors to the illegal dumping of industrial waste into Africa. On this remark, for instance, 23,000 metric tones of gray market electronic waste from Britain in 2003 ended in South-East Asia, India, Africa and china, said the above report from AllAfrica Web Side. Also, In the US 50-80 percent of the electronic waste collected for recycling is being exported to developing countries, the reporter from Allfrica concluded. Furthermore, with regard to the waste scandal in Ivory Coast, The whole procedure was illegal," said a Green Peace activist, Andreas Bernstorff, speaking to a reporter from AllAfricas Web Side, reproduced in the article, Waste Headed for a Third World Bin. Furthermore, the way this waste is being exported and how it is handled in the countries that receive it is a subject of a broader political debate that is beyond the scope of this paper. In general, waste that is exported to Africa is buried beneath the sand or on the beach; dump into the sea, lakes, streams, valleys, and in municipal garbage.

Moreover, it is even sadder to think about the fact that this waste is also dumped into the local peoples crops. On the other hand, countries in East (Somalia) and West Africa (Ivory Coast) appear to be the most affected by illegal dumping. In addition, waste that is dumped into Africa also includes pesticides and other chemicals used in the food production industries. Also, e-waste recycling is another type of industrial waste that is currently victimizing Africa.

A. Somali/ Ivory Coast Scandals (a) The Oil Sludge Scandal in Ivory Coast The subject related to the oil sludge scandal in Ivory Coast was broadly covered by a wide range of the international media, which allowed this issue to be known worldwide. This was very unusual. In addition, many of these mediums in the past had primarily focused on the differences and the fratricides wars that, regrettably, have been ruining the lives of the African People from the dawn of the history of the human race. However, that a point source of contaminants that was getting into Africa was reported worldwide reveals a sense of awareness and of a greater concern with respect to the role that Africa plays toward the preservation of our natural environment. Wow! Something good might have happened for this consciousness to take place. Either the politicians may have redefined their agenda to secure a much suitable environment we all can enjoy on the Earth or the gods may have been kindhearted this time with regard to the African people. Furthermore, by making this case public, revealing the extend of the damage that was caused by the oil sludge scandal in Ivory Coast, the international reporters

contributed to some extend to raise the public awareness with respect to the many other factors that are currently contributing to the degeneration of the African environment beside deforestation and hunting from the local people, the ongoing wars there, and others internal issues in Africa that are widely covered by the mainstream media.

In addition, many of these reports dealing with the oil sludge scandal in Ivory Coast confirmed that this waste was dumped in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, between Aug.19-22, causing the lives of 10 people and forcing over 80,000 others to seek medical treatment. Furthermore, one of the sources from Sociolingos Africa blogs Web Side identified the different locations where the waste was found and the way this waste was dumped. The black oil sludge was discovered at 18 different open-air sites, ranging from ditches and roads to main garbage dump. Also, thiw one-page article, Ivory Coast: Toxic dumping health-scare over, from the above web side went further to disclosed the type of chemicals that were contained in the waste, Main chemicals found in the hazardous waste were hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, phenols and hydrocarbons. In addition, there was some skepticism regarding to the amount of waste that was dump into the city of Abidjan, primarily into the lagoons surrounding this city. However, many of the sources I came across with agreed on the fact that it was a very large amount of waste that was unloaded into Ivory Coast. Actuality, this article, Africa: Waste Headed for a Third World Bin, from All Africas Web Side, confirmed, The Panamanian flagged ship Probo Koala unloaded more than 550 tonnes of toxic waste at Abidjan port in Cte d'Ivoire a month back. Most of this waste is believed to have ended up into the drinking wells that surround the city of Abidjan. Moreover, the link inFig.14., from my power point presentation, provides more details about this whole situation.

On the other hand, because of the fact that the waste in Ivory Coast was dumped into residential areas across the city of Abidjan, the local people became affected by this sludge and the victims suffered from acute respiratory infections, dry heavy coughing and mouth bleeding, abdominal hemorrhages, unusual skin chemical reactions and sudden death after inhaling toxic materials, confirmed the report, Africa the worlds toxic bin, from the IOLs Web Side. In addition, hopefully, many people would feel the extend of the damage that this oil sludge caused within the communities where it was dumped in Ivory Coast reading this account, Global Sludge ends in Tragedy for Ivory Coast., from the New York Time. In this article, Mr. Oudrawogol, an Ivorian citizen, tells the story about the health pandemic that his family experienced right after waste was dumped into their manioc and corn fields that they were growing close to their home. In addition, Mr. Oudrawogols account revealed the struggle for survival from his own

son, Six-month-old Salam, whose body was covered with sores since he was exposed to this toxic waste in August. In addition, F.10., from my power point presentation, illustrates just one single aspect regarding to general discomfort of the Ivorian citizens who gained nothing from this oil sludge but pain and the sense of disrespect to their society.

Also, fallowing earlier reports that 3 people had died from inhaling this oil sludge, unrest erupt in the social and political scenarios. The entire government body was dismissed from post for corruption charges amid this scandal. A new government was nominated. On the other hand, there were demonstrations from the citizens who chant anti-waste and anti-government statements all across the country. Also, some government officials were physically confronted. Moreover, the struggle between the Ivory Coast

government officials and the international community represented by the French officials to seek an effective solution to this crisis was also noticeable. On this remark, furthermore, Fig. 11., Fig.12., and Fig.13. from the link to my power point presentation give more further details about this situation.

(b) A mystery in Somalia, Days after the December 26 Tsunamis On the other hand, the December 26 Earthquake, which triggered the tsunami that devastated many countries across South Asia, particularly the Indonesias Banda Ache region; India; Sri Lanka; Malaysia; and Eastern Africa, Somalia in particular; raised another concern for the coastal residents in Somalia. The tsunami had exposed large tanks in the sediment off the country's flat coast and pushed them ashore, said the essay, Chemical Nuclear Alarm in Somalia After tsunami, from Afrol Newss Web Side. Also, Fig.15-17., from the link that give an access to my power point presentation gives more details concerning this issue. In addition, UNEP spokesman Nick Nuttal and Somali sources report on the widespread contamination through extremely harmful substances such as uranium, mercury and cadmium, as well as hospital waste products, and industrial waste contained in barrels which were at the bottom of the ocean, or barely buried under the sand., the report from Afrol News Web Side was concluding. Also, the exposure of this toxic waste let to the outbreak of diseases, many of which were unfamiliar to the local people. Moreover, the essay, Somalia: Worries over soil contamination in ayala valley, provided from IRINs Web Side, revealed the concern that the government in Somalia had ordered to the approximately 18,000 people living in the Ayala valley, Somaliland, to

leave their homes because the place had been contaminated with chemicals, mainly pesticides. Moreover, these chemicals had been stored by the Locus Organization Control (DLCO), said the report. On the other hand, Mr. Odiyo, a Green Peace activist working in Somalia, was shaken by the fact this report from the Ayala valley identified other contaminated locations across Somalia beside the Ayala valley. Furthermore, waste trafficking may have contributes to fuel the instability that exist in Somalia this days. On this remark, according to the report from Afrol News Web Side, The warlords received large sums in exchange for authorization to bury toxic waste along the Somali coast, (Chemical Nuclear Alarm in Somalia After tsunami) Finally, the new climate conditions that are currently developing in Eastern Africa can also contribute to spread contaminants all across this region. In fact, flooding is been very frequent in recent decades across many regions in the world; particularly, in Eastern Africa. Thus, flooding waters may help with the transportation of contaminants from one area to another location across Eastern Africa . For instance, contaminants from the Ayala valley may have spread to other locations across Eastern Africa with the flooding that have been affecting this region since the beginning of November, 2006. Consequently, leaving the entire region vulnerable to contamination and diseases. IV. Impact of Illegal dumping: Furthermore, speaking from Afrol News Web Side, Ms Candotti states, "the posttsunami effect could have devastating consequences for the entire Eastern Coast in Africa. Not only will the inhabitants of today see their health compromised by this, but they will also suffer from the damaging effects on fundamental activities such as fishing and agriculture and this will create an irreversible series of damages to future

generations. (Chemical, nuclear alarm in Somalia after tsunami). Thus, it is obvious that neither the people living in Africa nor the rest of the world would benefit from the destruction of the natural habitat that exists today in Africa for the cause of illegal dumping. In addition, the most common effects of illegal dumping were summarized with both the scandal in Somalia and in Ivory Coast. Where we showed that illegal dumping can contribute to wildlife depletion; soil and water contamination; air pollution; and generate waterborne diseases. Also, key natural resources, such as beaches, and other important economical reserves that can contribute to the increase of income in one specific region may also be at risk from being depleted.

V. Laws Prohibiting the Transportation of Illegal Waste into Africa On the other hand, there have been several laws and other legislations written in an attempt to stop the illegal dumping of industrial waste into Africa; however, power and profit deals are the keys that rule this business. In addition, according to the Bamako Convention given in the Basel Action Networks Web Side, The import of hazardous wastes into the continent of Africa from outside the Continent is prohibited. Also, from the report, Waste Heading to a Third World Bin, provided in AllAfricas Web Side we read, The Basel Convention (1989) forbids all forms of hazardous waste export from the most industrialized countries to developing countries.

VI. Analysis and Conclusions. Most important about this topic of illegal dumping are our own responsibilities, concerns, and caring toward the individuals and other living being we share our planet with. This really is what is needed to relate to the struggle that other individuals may be experiencing every region in the world where the smuggling of toxic waste is being permitted. In addition, Aid from the foreign donors in Africa is relatively petite

compared to the grievances that the African people are facing in the fate of illegal dumping. Also, the industrialized countries should stop any illegal import of weapons, toxic waste, and other harmful chemicals to Africa if we expect to see a much better image coming out of the motherland.

Work Cited: http://www.afriprov.org/maps/africa.htm http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,grossbild-703439437842,00.html http://news.yahoo.com/photos/ss/events/wl/060205ivorycoast http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/5322760.stm http://sociolingo.wordpress.com/2006/09/29/ivory-coast-toxic-dumpi... http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/02/world/africa/02ivory.html?_r=1&oref=slogin http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,437842,00.html http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/prehistoric_life/tv_radio/wwcavemen http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,437842-2,00.html Afrol News Chemical, nuclear alarm in Somalia after tsunami http://www.unep.org/tsunami/reports/TSUNAMI_SOMALIA_LAYOUT.pdf#searc h=%22illegal%20waste%20in%20africa%2C%20pictures%22 http://www.ban.org/Library/bamako_treaty.html allAfrica.com: Africa: Waste Headed for a Third World Bin http://www.africa.upenn.edu/About_African/ww_art.html http://es.search.yahoo.com/search?fr=slv1-msgr&p=darfur%20photos http://www.africa.upenn.edu/About_African/ww_art.html