Since the rise in the waters of Lake Tanganyika became a regional concern, among the hypotheses attributed to this situation is the Lukuga outlet, which can no longer evacuate a good quantity of water from this lake. The experts went there to inquire about the state of affairs.

On July 12, 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Agriculture and Livestock, in collaboration with the Lake Tanganyika Authority (ALT), organized a feedback and information workshop on the mission carried out in Kalemie in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on the Lukuga River in order to ascertain whether this river is really at the origin of the rise in the waters of Lake Tanganyika, because rumours said that a dam would be erected on this outlet of the lake. This mission was carried out by the Committee of Experts of the Lake Tanganyika Authority and found that the bed of the Lukuga River has narrowed due to the abundance of sand and sediments in the Kalemie watershed, alluvium, as well as the infrastructures built illegally in the area.

Possible solutions

Taking into account the current situation, these experts recommend a regional study on the variation in the water level of Lake Tanganyika, the cleaning and the widening of the outlet bed of this lake. Protecting the banks of the main tributaries of Lake Tanganyika is also of paramount importance. These experts also recommend the restoration and maintenance of wetlands as well as the establishment of a common buffer zone for the member countries of the Lake Tanganyika Authority. They place particular emphasis on restricting the allocation of land plots and on prohibiting construction in flood-prone areas. Moreover, a mapping of said zones is necessary. They also recommend the construction of a control dam at the mouth of Lake Tanganyika that would regulate the rise or fall of the lake's waters.

This visit is the consequence of the recommendations made on February 26, 2021 at the Hotel Club du Lac Tanganyika during an exchange workshop on the development plan for the coastline of Lake Tanganyika. A joint visit to the Lukuga River in Kalemie was recommended to assess its influence on the rise in the waters of Lake Tanganyika and this mission was carried out from 8 to 20 May 2021.

The Government of Burundi at work

According to Déo Guide Rurema, minister in charge of the environment, various initiatives have been taken by Burundi, in particular the establishment of the water code and its implementing texts, the implementation of various projects aimed at the protection of the biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika and its basin. There is also the development of an integrated coastal development plan for Lake Tanganyika in progress, which will take into account environmental, tourism and economic aspects.

According to him, the objective of this workshop was to discuss with stakeholders the phenomenon of rising water levels in Lake Tanganyika and the sustainable solutions to be found. It was also to inform the population and all stakeholders about the actions that the Government of Burundi is taking in collaboration with technical and financial partners through the Ministry in charge of the environment to find a lasting solution to this problem. Another objective is to discuss the status of implementation of the recommendations of the Council of Ministers on the integrated management plan for Lake Tanganyika and to be informed about the influence of the Lukuga River on the rise in the waters of Lake Tanganyika.

To do this, according to Mr. Rurema, urgent work will be undertaken, such as increasing the members of the commission responsible for monitoring the rise in the waters of Lake Tanganyika by adding university professors to ensure effective complementarity. This team will study the problems that arise and propose solutions at the appropriate time.

On Radio Isanganiro, Bernard Sindayihebura, an expert in topography, land use planning and environment at the same time a professor at the University of Burundi, said that the rise in the waters of Lake Tanganyika was worrisome from 2018 to 2021. He compared this period to 1961-1964. According to him, these are twin periods. During this period, the level of the lake reached more than 777 m above sea level. A significant portion of the coastal zone has been besieged by the waters. This university professor is asking the population not to build hard houses in the buffer zone. However, it is possible to build mobile infrastructures there.