Environmental Justice Movements in Resource-Rich Eritrea: An Analysis

Environmental justice movements have gained prominence in resource-rich regions of Africa, such as Eritrea, where natural resources are concentrated and often exploited without equitable benefits for local communities. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews with quantitative surveys in urban and rural areas across different regions of Eritrea to gather data on environmental justice perceptions and actions. Findings reveal a significant proportion (35%) of respondents support local environmental justice movements, indicating a growing awareness and engagement among the general population regarding resource management issues. The study concludes that while there is public interest in environmental justice, more structured advocacy and community empowerment programmes are needed to strengthen these movements' effectiveness and sustainability. Recommendations include enhancing educational initiatives on environmental stewardship, fostering partnerships between local communities and government agencies, and promoting transparent resource allocation processes.