Água e integração regional na África ocidental: Papel dos rios na economia política oeste africana Water and Regional Integration in West Africa: Role of rivers in the west African political economy

This article starts from the historical description of the different socio-political processes, economic and cultural conditions that develop in the back of the Senegal River, to evaluate possible conflicts of political and economic interests and their positive and negative consequences for regional integration of countries in the region. It is included that the rivers are favorable elements to the promotion of cooperation and regional integration in West Africa, despite some tensions that exist among States bordered by rivers such as Senegal and Mauritania and Senegal and Gambia.