Beyond the borders: Conflicts over natural resources in Africa

Conflicts over finite and shared natural resources continue to dominate headlines around the world. In particular, border regions have challenges in natural resource management. The regions include abundant natural resources, such as forests, energy, air, and rivers, typically associated with distance from the central authority. However, natural resource management becomes sensitive between each side of countries because of power differences or relationships. This study aimed at identifying characteristics of natural resources-based conflict management at the African border areas based on this context. Through a systematic review methodology, natural resource management conflict cases at the border regions were collected from SCOPUS's academic database between 2001 and 2021. The selected cases were analyzed with the categories focusing on various types of natural resources, conflicts, cooperation, and geographical area. The research results indicate various natural resources conflicts and cooperation occurring in African border regions. This research contributes to a better understanding of natural resources-based conflicts and suggests recommendations for designing natural resource management strategies or models at border areas. Keywords: Africa, conflict management, international partnerships, natural resources, transboundary conservation