Chapter
8:
Case
studies
in
Wadi
Siham
8.4
Overall
analysis
A
main
observation
is
that
there
are
several
informal
and
formal
conflict
resolution
mechanisms,
yet
all
of
them
are
too
weak.
The
post-‐2011
events
have
for
the
time
being
contributed
to
the
overall
weaknesses
of
State
organizations
and
have
divided
and
weakened
the
traditional
mechanisms,
by
creating
more
diversity
and
more
politicization.
The
National
Dialogue
Outcomes
emphasize
the
development
of
a
genuine
civil
state
in
Yemen
–
also
as
different
from
the
earlier
system
of
political
patronage
where
local
leadership
was
co-‐opted
into
support
for
the
central
power
and
amply
compensated
by
direct
transfers
of
funds,
assets
and
privileges.
Whilst
the
transition
makes
change,
it
is
also
easier
said
than
done.
Based
on
the
analysis
of
Wadi
Siham,
a
main
challenge
is
how
to
build
a
critical
mass
of
local
stakeholders
to
address
overdue
issues
on
water
distribution
and
ensure
the
representation
of
the
interest
of
the
least
powerful
in
this.
The
two
case
studies
presented
above
exemplify
the
deep
agrarian,
socio-‐economic
and
political
transformations
Yemen
and
the
Tihama
Plain
have
undergone
in
the
last
several
decades,
which
also
have
had
tangible
consequences
for
water
control
and
the
materialisation
of
water
conflicts.
Below
we
analyse
several
drivers
behind
increasing
water
disputes
in
Wadi
Siham
and
assess
the
effectiveness
of
the
dispute
resolution
strategies
that
were
chased
by
the
parties.
Agrarian
change,
political
transition,
and
the
dissolution
of
local
leadership
As
highlighted
at
the
beginning
of
this
chapter,
Wadi
Siham,
as
well
as
other
wadis
of
the
Tihama,
have
experienced
a
profound
agrarian
change
which
started
in
the
1980s
and
led
towards
a
gradual
process
of
commoditization
of
agriculture.
External
forces
(subsidised
inputs,
cheap
fuel,
ban
on
imports,
cheap
land
etc.)
all
contributed
to
the
attractiveness
of
investments
in
the
Tihama
by
newcomers,
in
many
instances
urban
businessmen.
At
the
same
time,
several
local
farmers
migrated
to
Saudi
Arabia
in
search
for
better-‐
remunerated
labour.
This
process
was
paralleled
by
social
differentiation
and
weakening
of
power
and
authority
of
traditional
local
leadership,
i.e.,
sheikhs.
Altogether,
this
meant
a
decrease
in
the
levels
of
trust
and
cooperation,
and
an
increase
in
individualism
and
opportunism.
Customary