The Nile Basin Initiative has announced the initiation of a water-sharing agreement for the Nile River basin, which has come into force despite opposition from Egypt. This accord, confirmed by the African Union following South Sudan’s ratification, seeks to promote equitable water use among the basin’s nations. However, the lack of involvement from Egypt and Sudan, alongside rising regional tensions, raises questions about the agreement’s future and implementation.
A consortium of ten nations has proclaimed the establishment of a water-sharing agreement for the Nile River basin, effective immediately despite the explicit objections of Egypt. The African Union has confirmed the legal standing of this “cooperative framework” following South Sudan’s accession to the treaty, as announced by the Nile Basin Initiative in a recent statement. Countries including Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have ratified the accord, while Egypt and Sudan have refrained from signing and the Democratic Republic of the Congo has abstained. Kenya has yet to submit its ratification documents to the African Union. The Nile Basin Initiative’s statement emphasized that this accord reflects the collective commitment to utilize the Nile’s resources equitably and sustainably for future generations, acknowledging the dedication of the Nile riparian countries and their partners. The absence of Egypt and Sudan’s ratification, both of which are dependent on the Nile for water, indicates that the agreement may incite further disputes. Increased tensions in the region have arisen, particularly regarding Ethiopia’s ongoing construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, which Egypt fears could severely affect its downstream water supply and irrigation capabilities. In contrast, Ethiopia aims to leverage the dam for essential electricity generation. The accord stipulates that member states must utilize the Nile’s water resources in an equitable and reasonable manner. The Nile, extending 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles), is regarded as the longest river globally, with the White Nile originating in South Sudan and the Blue Nile commencing in Ethiopia. In light of Ethiopia’s endeavors, Egypt has reinforced its regional influence through a recent security cooperation pledge with Somalia, opposing Ethiopia’s pursuits for maritime access via Somaliland. As stipulated in a recent agreement, Egypt may deploy peacekeeping troops to Somalia once the African Union’s mandate expires in 2024. As of yet, there has been no official comment from Egypt regarding the newly implemented Nile accord. Historically, Egypt has defended its rights to the Nile waters based on a colonial-era agreement with the United Kingdom, which allocated 55.5 billion cubic meters to Egypt and 18.5 billion cubic meters to Sudan, altogether comprising 84 billion cubic meters with an additional 10 billion lost to evaporation. This 1929 agreement did not take into consideration the rights of other nations within the river basin that have long advocated for a more equitable distribution of water resources.
The Nile River, recognized as the longest river in the world, is a critical water source for multiple nations in northeastern Africa. The ongoing debate regarding the equitable sharing of Nile water has been particularly pronounced among its riparian states, including Egypt and Sudan, which heavily rely on the river for their water needs. The colonial-era agreements established unilateral water rights for downstream countries, often disregarding the interests of upstream nations. In recent years, Ethiopia’s construction of a dam has escalated these tensions, leading to calls for a revised water-sharing framework that accommodates the needs of all Nile basin countries.
In summary, the Nile Basin Initiative has advanced the implementation of a water-sharing accord despite significant opposition from Egypt and Sudan. This agreement aims to address the equitable utilization of the Nile’s resources, reflecting a collective commitment among several riparian nations. However, the absence of ratification by Egypt and Sudan, alongside rising tensions due to Ethiopia’s dam construction, suggests that the path toward sustainable and equitable water management in the Nile basin may be fraught with challenges.
Original Source: apnews.com
