botswana/namibia - Cour international de Justice

Nambian Memorial (p.56,paragraph 155). This is conclusive proof that these bars are
permanent features.
439. All the residual flood water on the island lies on the eastern side and there is no sign of
water lying along the western side. This is a clear indication that the western channel is
contained between high stable banks whereas, as Alexander admits, "The banks of the
southern channel are only a few centimetres high in places". This is clear proof that the main
channel of the Chobe is the western and northern channel. This fact is clearly visible on the
photograph where the western channel is visible as a clean sweeping line, as opposed to the
ill-defined and flooded banks of the southern channel. The long-standing growth of hardwood
trees on the northern spit is confirmation of the stability of the banks of the northern channel.
440. Even at this time of high water levels, it is quite clear that the northern and western
channel is very much bigger than the southern channel, which even now is only a few metres
wide at the entrance to the 'lagoon' sector from the sediment spit.
(iv) Conclusions relating to the aerial photographs
G36 - June 1997 aerial photograph mosaic of Chobe River with labels
441. After careful examination of all the photographs in the series from 1925 to 1997, it must
be concluded that the northern channel is the main channel of the Chobe River in the vicinity
of Kasikili/Sedudu Island for the following reasons:-
1. On all the photographs the western and northern sectors of the northern channel are clearly
visible as being much wider than the southern channel, which in some places narrows down to
just a few metres wide, particularly at the north-eastern tip of the sedimentary spit marked A
on the photographs.
2. The photograph taken in May 1972 clearly shows that at time of low water, the southern
channel dries up and reverts to a backwater of the Chobe River. On other photographs in the
series, notably the 1947 and November 1972 photographs, the southern channel has almost
disappeared in some places. It is clearly evident that at times of low water the southern
channel would not be navigable along its full length, whereas at all times the northern channel
is fully open with little variation in size between high and low water.
3. Examination of the first photograph (1925) compared with the 1985 or the 1997 photograph
shows virtually no change at all in the size and shape of the Island and associated channels.
There are no signs at all of major erosion or accretion of sediment deposits. This indicates a
very stable slow moving river system.
(J) Satellite Imageries
442. The interpretation of satellite images is a highly technical science, and Professor Sefe,
with the assistance of experts at the University of Botswana, explains in Section (g) Study of
Satellite Imagery of Sedudu Island of his Second Opinion (Appendix 2 of the Botswana
Counter-Memorial) the two sensor systems, LANDSAT MSS (Multispectral Scanner) and the
newer system LANDSAT TM (Thematic Map), the band widths and methods of detecting
depth in water and vegetation cover from false colour composites, classified and single band
images.