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The Congo Basin offers opportunities for the production and provision of many goods and services, including agriculture and food security, fishing, hydropower, water supply, transport and maintenance of aquatic ecosystems. Overall, the basin has the potential to play a leading role in regional cooperation to reduce poverty, while providing livelihood and income opportunities for communities. The strategic challenge for the future is, therefore, to ensure sufficient water quantity and quality to meet growing competing demands for agricultural, commercial, domestic, environmental, and industrial needs. This challenge also includes maintaining the optimal use of water resources services in the context of climate change.
In our 2016 study on hydrology research opportunities in the Congo Basin (see our list of publications below, or visit https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2016RG000517/full), we proposed a series of research hypotheses that correspond to major questions in the dynamics of water resources in this basin. These hypotheses concern: the source of water from the Central Basin and the way in which this water leaves the wetland, the flow generated by historical rainfall, the link between climate change and the rainfall-flow relationship generated by the " tropical rain belt”, deforestation and hydroelectric power production, as well as the amount of carbon emitted by the waters of the Congo. This study has illustrated examples of a range of water resource problems that virtually affect the Congo Basin region and for which effective scientific solutions must be found.
To date, a consensus has emerged from national and international scientific circles on the consequences of a direct inter-basin transfer; the Congo Basin representing one of the lungs of humanity, the approach is to preserve it and not destroy it. I therefore believe that Congolese scientists should move away from the binary of “Transfer vs. Not Transfer” – but rather focus on “The Sustainable Management Strategy for the Congo Basin”. This strategy should help us to eradicate the Congolese paradox of water management: it is only with
a hydroelectric potential of nearly 100,000 MW, the Congo Basin region is the darkest on the planet, we remain without electricity and have almost no processing industries in view of the renewable and non-renewable natural resources which we are endowed;
nearly 20,000 km of waterways, safe navigation is not guaranteed and more than 2,000 cases of death are recorded each year;
enormous potential in aquaculture and irrigation, we continue to import food and are not able to contribute to the achievement of the SDGs with regard to food security;
an annual volume of more than 1,300 billion m3 of fresh water dumped into the ocean, access to drinking water and sanitation services is a disaster; and we continue to import “Virtual Water” water;
its positioning as the second largest river basin in the world after that of the Amazon, the Congo basin remains the least studied in the world...
These are the real questions of water resources management to which our populations expect immediate answers. These are questions for which we seek the attention of scientists, and of the Congolese Government to support research work. We consider them a priority in the current “Let’s Transfer, Don’t Transfer” controversy.
I defended this position at the Presidency of the DRC in 2018, and on several occasions at the Economic and Social Council, and also in numerous international scientific meetings.
With a view to the above-mentioned strategy, we have just put in place a sub-basin classification framework for hydrological prediction and water resources management in the ungauged basins of Congo – a resource management tool in water (In Press in American Geophysics Union-AGU, see the list of our publications below). In this Framework, a multi-criteria approach (hydrological, socio-economic and sociological) is used to partition the Congo Basin into 1740 subunits, the smallest of which is that of the Gombe River (16.7 km2) and the largest is that of Lake Tanganyika (70,317 km2). An unsupervised classification approach is used to categorize units according to their homogeneous physiographic and climatic characteristics.
Since the question of insufficient data continues to arise, and cannot be resolved in the next ten years, this Framework will therefore allow us to carry out analyzes on regions according to their potential and also their sensitivity to natural disturbances and anthropogenic (guarantee of rational practices of conservation and management of water resources). But also, it will guide us on the efforts to be made to collect new information necessary for decision-making in the management of the Congo Basin.
Scientists and water resources professionals should prepare to begin a new phase of fieldwork, modeling and remote sensing to help provide this Framework with the necessary information. Hence my invitation not to cross your arms. At the Congo Basin Water Resources Research Center – CRREBaC, we have doctoral students who are making good progress in the development of new tools adapted to the elements of the Congo Basin context.
The question of management of the Congo Basin must continue to concern us to the greatest extent. Thank you all for focusing on what moves our nation forward.
Prof. Raphael Tshimanga
Below are some publications of which Professor Raphaël Tshimanga is Author or Co-author, proof of his commitment to improving knowledge and promoting the Congo Basin...
Tshimanga, R.M., Bola, G., Kabuya, P., Nkaba, L., Neal, J., Hawker, L., Trigg A.M., Bates,P., Hughes, A.D., Hughes, Laraque, A., Woods, R., Wagener,, T., 2020. Towards a framework of catchment classification for hydrologic predictions and water resources management in the ungauged basin of the Congo River: An a priori approach. Under review: American Geophysical Union – AGU Willey .
Tshimanga, R.M., Trigg,A.M., Neal, J., Ndomba,P., Hughes, D., Carr, A,B., Kabuya, P., Bola,G., Mushi, A.C., Beya, J., Ngandu, F., Mokango, G., Mtalo, F., Bates, P., 2020.New measurements of Congo River water dynamics and sediment transport. Under review: American Geophysical Union – AGU Willey.
Carr, A.B., Trigg, M.A., Tshimanga, R.M., Borman, J.D., Smith, M.W. 2019. Greater Water Surface Variability Revealed by New Congo River Field Data: Implications for Satellite Altimetry Measurements of Large Rivers. Geophysical Research Letters https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL083720
Mushi, C.A., Ndomba,P.M., Trigg, M.A., Tshimanga, R.M., Mtalo, F. 2019. Assessment of basin-scale soil erosion within the Congo River Basin: A review. Catena 178 (2019) 64–76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2019.02.030
Beighley, E., Tshimanga, R.M., N’Kaya, M. G, 2019. Establishing science campaigns in sub-Saharan Africa, Eos, 100, https://doi.org/10.1029/2019EO117249.
Kim, D., Lee, H., Laraque, A., Tshimanga, R.M., Yuan, T., Jung, H.C., Beighley, E., Chang, C. 2017. Mapping spatio-temporal water level variations over the central Congo River using PALSAR ScanSAR and Envisat altimetry data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 2017 Vol. 38, No. 23, 7021–7040. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2017.1371867
Yuan, T., Lee, H., Jung, H.C., Aierken, A., Beighley, E., Alsdorf, D., Tshimanga, R.M., Kim, D. 2017. Absolute water storages in the Congo River floodplains from integration of InSAR and satellite radar altimetry. Remote Sensing of Environment 201 (2017) 57–72. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rse.2017.09.003.
Alsdorf, D., Beighley, E., Laraque, A., Lee, H., Tshimanga, R.M., O’Loughlin, F., Mahe, G., Dinga, B., Moukandi, G., Spencer, R.G.M. 2016. Opportunities for Hydrologic Research in the Congo Basin. Reviews of Geophycs, http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/2016RG000517/full.
Tshimanga, R.M., Hughes, D.A., 2014. Basin-scale performance of a semidistributed rainfall-runoff model for hydrological predictions and water resources assessment of large rivers: The Congo River, Water Resour. Res., 50,doi:10.1002/2013WR014310
Hughes, D.A., Tshimanga, R.M., Sithabile, T., Tanner, J., 2013. Simulating Wetland Impacts on Streamflow in Southern Africa Using a Monthly Hydrological Model. Journal of Hydrological Processes DOI: 10.1002/hyp.9725
Tshimanga, R.M., Hughes, D.A., 2012. Climate change and impacts on the hydrology of the Congo Basin: the case of the northern sub-basins of the Oubangui and Sangha Rivers. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 50–52 (2012) 72–83
Tshimanga, R.M., Hughes, D.A., Kapangaziwiri, E., 2011. Understanding hydrological processes and estimating model parameter values in large basins: The case of the Congo River Basin. IAHS Publ.345: 17-22.
Tshimanga, R.M., Hughes, D.A., Kapangaziwiri, E., 2011. Initial calibration of a semi-distributed rainfall-runoff model for the Congo River Basin. Physics and Chemistry of the Earth 36: 14-15.
Hughes, D.A., Tshimanga, M.R., Sithabile, T., 2010. Simulating the hydrology and water resources of large rivers in southern Africa. Global Change-Facing Risks and Threats to Water Resources. IAHS Publ.340: 591-597, 2010.Tshimanga, R.M., Ndomba, P. M., 2008. Environmental water requirements rapid assessment (Downstream of the Hydropower Plant of Lower Kihansi), Nile Basin Water Engineering Scientific Magazine, Vol. 1, October 2008, 12-21.
Tshimanga, R.M., Alsdorf, D., Laraque, A., Hughes, D.A., Gulemvuga, G., Mahe, G., 2016. Hydrology of Large Rivers: the Congo River Basin. In Handbook of Applied Hydrology (Ed. Vijay Singh), ISBN:9780071835091, McGraw-Hill Education 2016
Tshimanga, R.M., Tshitenge, JM., Kabuya, P., Alsdorf, D., Mahe, G., Kibukusa , G., Lukanda V., 2016. A Regional Perceptive of Flood Forecasting and Disaster Management Systems for the Congo River Basin. In Flood Forecasting: A Global Persepective (Eds. Thomas E Adams and Thomas C. Pagano), ISBN: 978-0-12-801884-2, ELSEVIER.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2016. Water and food systems in the Congo rainforest. In Water and Food, A history of water, ser. 3, v. 3 (Eds. Terje, and Terje Oestigaard), ISBN: 9781780768717, I. B. Tauris 2016.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2009. The Congo Nile: Water Uses, Policies and Challenges, in the river nile in the post-colonial age, conflict and cooperation in the nile basin countries, I. B. Tauris & Company, Li. 2009.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2009. Traditional Systems of Water and Water Resources Management Along the Upper Congo River. In Water, Culture and Identity: Comparing Past and Present Traditions in the Nile Basin Region. BRIC Press, Bergen, 2009, 272 pp. ISBN 978-82-7453-080-5.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2017. Conception d’un Réseau Optimal de Suivi Hydrométéorologique et Climatique du Bassin Versant de Kasaï. Consultancy report, African Development Bank/ Ministry of Rural Development, No 140/PRISE-BAD/UEP/CN/SC/CI/PM/03/2018.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2017. Integrated Water Resources Management Plan for the Union of Comoros, Consultancy report, UNOPS. Contract No: 72841-P65506-L0-00.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2016. National IWRM Road Map for the Union of Comoros. Consultancy report submitted to UNOPS. Contract No: 72841-P62241-00.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2015. Integrated Watershed Management Plan for the Mutsamudu River, Anjouan, Comoros. Consultancy reprt, UNOPS. 2015/llCA-SP/58303/UNOPS.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2015. Water Resources Assessment of the Mutsamudu Watershed. Consultancy, UNOPS. 2015/llCA-SP/58303/UNOPS.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2015. Development of a Water Evaluation And Planning (WEAP) model for the Congo River Basin. Contribution report submitted for the World Bank Project on Enhancing the Resilience of African Infrastructures to Climate Changes https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/handle/10986/21875.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2012. Mid-Term Evaluation of the UNDP/GEF Project on Partnership Interventions for the Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for Lake Tanganyika. Consultancy report, UNOPS. UNOPS contract No.2011/LICA-SP/26296.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2008. The Status of IWRM Implementation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Consultancy report submitted to the Nile Basin Initiative for the study of assessment of the level of IWRM implementation in the Nile region. UNOPS contract No. CA-ATP-07/008.
Tshimanga, R.M., 2007. Capacity Building Actions in Groundwater Management Issues as an Aspect of IWRM for the Democratic Republic of Congo. Findings of a regional study for the six counties of Nile basin region (Burundi, DRCongo, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Sudan and Uganda). Capnet, UNDP, BGR. https://www.bgs.ac.uk/africaGroundwaterAtlas/atlas.cfc?method=ViewDetails&id=AGLA004021
September 2018
Towards a Framework of Catchment Classification for Hydrological Predictions and Water Resources Management in Ungauged Basins of the Congo River. AGU Chapman Conference, 25-27 Sept.2018, Washington DC, USA. https://agu.confex.com/agu/18chapman4/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/342139.
Quantifying Water Resources Availability and Assessing Water Use Scenarios for the Congo River Basin. AGU Chapman Conference, 25-27 Sept.2018, Washington DC, USA.
https://agu.confex.com/agu/18chapman4/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/343165
Strengthening research capacity for improved water resources management in the Congo basin: the case of the Congo Basin Water Resources Research Center – CRREBaC. AGU Chapman Conference, 25-27 Sept.2018, Washington DC, USA.
https://agu.confex.com/agu/18chapman4/meetingapp.cgi/Paper/471864
May 2018
Potential of Accoustic Doppler Technology for Large Scale in-situ Measurements of the Congo River. 3rd International Conference on African Large River Basin Hydrology (ICALRBH). Algeria.
Octobre 2012
An a priori Approach to Model Parameter Estimation and Uncertainty Analysis in Large Catchments of the Congo River Basin. 90th IAHS-PUB decade, Delft, The Netherlands.
Assessing the Potential Use of Regional Flow Duration Curves for Hydrological Predictions in Large Catchments of the Congo River Basin. 16th SANCHIAS Symposium. Pretoria, RSA 2012.
Climate Change and Impacts on the Hydrology of the Congo Basin. Atelier sur “Socio-economic Consequences of Climate Change in Sub-Equatorial Africa”. Atelier de dissemination organisee par l’Univerite d’Oslo, Univerisite de Malawi et le ministere de l’environment et changement climatiue de Malawi. Malawi, 2012.
Octobre 2011
On Perceptual Model for Informed Modelling Decision in Large River Basin. The Case of the Congo Basin. 15th SANCHIAS Symposium. Grahamstown, RSA 2012.
Septembre 2011
Atelier Régional sur le Changement Climatique et la Pêche dans les Pays de Grands Lacs. Autorite de Lac Tanganyika. Nairobi 2012.
Juillet 2011
Understanding hydrological processes and estimating model parameter values in large basins: The case of the Congo River Basin. 25th Symposium de l’Union Internationale pour la Géodésie et Géophysique, Melbourne, Australie 2011.
Octobre 2010
Initial calibration of the Pitman rainfall-runoff model for the Congo River Basin. Waternet Symposium, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe 2012.
Novembre 2008
Environmental Water Requirements in the context of competing uses: proceedings of the Nile Basin Development Forum, November 2008, Khartoum, Sudan.