World Bank funds highest dam in Tajikistan amid regime repression

Tajikistan is facing a significant decision regarding the financing of the Rogun mega dam project, as the World Bank is scheduled to vote on the matter on December 17, 2024. This $5 billion project has been under development since the 1970s and aims to address the country's chronic energy shortages. However, the situation is complicated by the fact that Tajik President Emomali Rahmon has characterized the project as a question of life or death for the nation. Concerns surrounding the project are heightened due to the repressive political environment in Tajikistan, where human rights violations are common, including the imprisonment and torture of dissenters. Local communities are particularly vulnerable, as evidenced by over 7,000 people already displaced despite less than 25% of the construction being complete. The implications of the dam extend beyond human displacement, as it poses serious risks to the environment. The Rogun project threatens critically endangered ecosystems, including endemic sturgeon populations and unique floodplain habitats within the Vakhsh River floodplain, a designated World Heritage Site. Additionally, the project may disrupt the water flow to the Aral Sea, already severely affected by past environmental damage. International scrutiny has grown, with global organizations advocating for the rights of affected communities and calling for a reevaluation of the project's potential impacts. Advocates assert that alternatives to the dam project could provide much-needed energy without the associated detriments to human populations and the environment. Suggestions include decreasing the dam's height to minimize displacement risks and reallocating funds to develop solar energy infrastructure. This more diversified energy strategy could help Tajikistan reduce its reliance on hydropower while addressing the country's energy needs in a sustainable manner. As the World Bank prepares to make its decision, it faces an opportunity to reflect on historical lessons regarding the devastating impacts of mega dams and consider the voices of civil society. By demanding a thorough assessment that incorporates alternative energy proposals, the World Bank could shift its investment strategies toward projects that are less likely to cause harm. The impending vote represents not only a crucial moment for the future of the Rogun project but also an essential test of the World Bank’s commitment to responsible and sustainable development practices in a notoriously repressive context.