The takeover of peoples’ land and water by corporations – even
if they are from the global south – is a new form of
colonisation The idea of south-south co-operation evokes a
positive image of solidarity between developing countries
through the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge.
It’s an attractive proposition, intended to shift the
international balance of power and help developing nations break
away from aid dependence and achieve true emancipation from
former colonial powers. However, the discourse of south-south
co-operation has become a cover for human rights violations
involving southern governments and companies. A case in point is
the land grab by Indian corporations in Ethiopia, facilitated by
the governments of both countries, which use development
rhetoric while further marginalising the indigenous communities
that bear the pain of the resulting social, economic and
environmental devastation. It is against this scenario that
international solidarity between communities affected by the