Nile Basin Nations Advance Water-Sharing Accord Amid Dispute with Egypt

A coalition of 10 Nile basin nations has enacted a new water-sharing agreement despite Egypt’s opposition. The African Union confirmed the accord after South Sudan joined. While Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania ratified it, Egypt and Sudan abstained, raising concerns over water rights amid tensions over Ethiopia’s dam on the Blue Nile. The accord aims for equitable use of Nile resources, emphasizing cooperation among basin states.

A coalition of 10 nations in the Nile River basin has declared that a new agreement concerning the equitable utilization of Nile water resources has officially come into effect, despite the absence of Egypt’s endorsement. The legal framework of the “cooperative framework” was officially recognized by the African Union following South Sudan’s accession to the treaty. Countries such as Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have ratified the agreement, while both Egypt and Sudan have abstained from signing, and the Democratic Republic of Congo chose to remain neutral. Kenya has yet to submit its ratification documentation to the African Union. The agreement, which commenced this past Sunday, reflects the commitment of the Nile Basin Initiative to collaboratively manage the Nile River for the benefit of all basin countries, ensuring its equitable and sustainable use for future generations. The statement emphasizes this significant advancement, stating that it symbolizes the collective resolve and determination of the countries sharing the Nile. However, the absence of ratification by Egypt and Sudan, both countries that rely heavily on the river, suggests potential controversies ahead. Tensions within the region have heightened, particularly due to Ethiopia’s ongoing project to construct a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, a crucial tributary of the river. Egypt has voiced concerns that this dam could severely affect their water and irrigation supplies unless Ethiopia adequately considers their needs. In contrast, Ethiopia anticipates that the dam will help meet its electricity generation requirements. The newly established accord articulates that Nile basin states must manage the water resources of the Nile in an “equitable and reasonable manner” within their respective jurisdictions. The Nile River, which is recognized as the longest river in the world at approximately 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles), has two primary tributaries: the White Nile starting from South Sudan and the Blue Nile situated in Ethiopia. Amid the ongoing dispute, Egypt has sought to fortify its strategic alliances in the Horn of Africa by enhancing security cooperation with Somalia, a nation that contests Ethiopia’s attempts to secure maritime access through the Somali region of Somaliland. An agreement reached recently establishes provisions under which Egypt may deploy peacekeeping forces to Somalia once the current mandate of African Union peacekeepers expires at the close of 2024. Egypt has not provided an immediate public response regarding the newly effective Nile accord, despite being a founding member of the Nile Basin Initiative and maintaining long-standing claims to Nile water based on a colonial-era agreement with the United Kingdom. This historical agreement, signed in 1929, allocated specific water rights to Egypt and Sudan—granting Egypt approximately 55.5 billion cubic meters and Sudan 18.5 billion cubic meters from the total annual flow of 84 billion cubic meters, ignoring the claims and rights of the other nations situated along the river.

The Nile River basin is home to multiple countries that rely heavily on its water resources for agricultural, economic, and social purposes. Historically, Egypt has maintained significant control over the river, largely due to a colonial-era agreement with the United Kingdom that granted it disproportionate water rights compared to its upstream neighbors. In recent years, however, increased competition for water resources has emerged, especially with Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which aims to provide electricity but raises alarms for downstream Egypt and Sudan regarding water security. The emergence of this cooperative agreement signifies a shift in the dynamics of water sharing among the basin nations, indicating a growing desire for equitable management of shared water resources in light of the evolving needs and claims of all riparian nations.

The Nile basin nations have successfully formed a water-sharing accord, marking a significant milestone in regional cooperation, albeit without the support of Egypt and Sudan. The agreement aims to promote fair usage of the Nile River’s resources among the participating states, while the ongoing tensions, particularly influenced by Ethiopia’s dam project, demonstrate the complexities and challenges surrounding water rights within the basin. The quest for equitable resource management will remain a contentious issue as nations seek to balance developmental aspirations with environmental and socio-economic necessities.

Original Source: apnews.com