African Response to Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes

• Author: Jean Chrysostome Kanamugire
• Position: Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Mafikeng Campus, North-West University, South Africa
• Pages: 121-133

JURIDICA

121

African Response to Transboundary

Movement of Hazardous Wastes

Jean Chrysostome KANAMUGIRE

1

Abstract: Control or management of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes is a global

challenge. The industries in the developed states generate hazardous wastes in their activities.

Developed states have stringent laws an d regulations for the disposal of hazardous wastes. The

industries have to dispose hazardous wastes in an environmentally sound manner. It is cost effective

to dispose wastes in developed states. They target developing states mostly in Africa where they can

dump their hazardous wastes. African states do not possess strict laws and policies for the protection

of the environment and human lives. They also lack information to make an informed consent in the

disposal of hazardous wastes. Basel convention regulates the transboundary movement of hazardous

wastes on an international level. However, the African states want a total ban on the movement of

hazardous wastes from developed states on their territories. Bamako convention precludes the

movement of hazardous wastes on the African continent from the other countries. The paper opines

that each state should dispose its hazardous wastes in an environmentally sound manner on its

territory.

Keywords: Transboundary movement; hazardous wastes; disposal; environmentally sound manner;

Africa

1. Introduction

The generation and transboundary movements of hazardous wastes and their

disposal pose a significant threat to human health and the environment (Lipman,

1999, p. 266). Hazardous wastes are produced by industrialized states. Developed

states need a place to dispose hazardous wastes especially in developing states.

According to Greenpeace, industrialized nations produce approximately 400

million of hazardous waste per year (Akinnusi, 2001, p. 306). Developed states

1

Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Mafikeng Campus, North-West Un iversity, South Africa, Address:

Private Bag X2046, Mmabatho, South Africa, 2735, Tel.: +27183892802; Fax: +27183892028,

Corresponding author: jean.kanamugire@nwu.ac.za or kajec1@yahoo.co.uk.

AUDJ, vol. 13, no. 3/2017, pp. 121-133