Nile Basin Water-Sharing Accord Enacted Without Egypt’s Support
The Nile basin nations have implemented a water-sharing accord focused on equitable resource utilization despite Egypt’s opposition. Ratified by several countries including Ethiopia and Uganda, the accord aims to balance the interests of all nations in the basin. However, tensions remain high due to Egypt’s concerns over water allocation amid Ethiopia’s dam construction.
The Nile basin countries have officially announced the implementation of a water-sharing accord that prioritizes equitable usage of the Nile River’s resources, despite Egypt’s significant opposition to the agreement. This declaration was made following South Sudan’s accession to the treaty, as confirmed by the African Union and reported by the Nile Basin Initiative on Sunday. The accord has been ratified by Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania, while Egypt and Sudan declined to sign, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo chose to abstain. Kenya has yet to provide its ratification to the African Union, which is still pending. The recently initiated accord, which took effect on Sunday, is characterized by a statement from the Nile Basin Initiative that highlights, “This is a testament to our collective determination to harness the Nile River for the benefit of all, ensuring its equitable and sustainable use for generations to come.” This moment marks a significant achievement for the governments and peoples of the Nile countries, as well as their partners and stakeholders, who have demonstrated persistence and commitment to this initiative. However, the absence of approvals from Egypt and Sudan, both of which are desert nations concerned about potential reductions to their water allocation, signals that the agreement may encounter significant controversy. The escalating tensions in the region are partly fueled by Ethiopia’s ongoing construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, which Egypt fears could severely impact water availability and agricultural operations downstream. Ethiopia, on the other hand, intends to utilize the dam for the generation of critical electricity. According to the accord’s stipulations, Nile basin nations are expected to utilize the river’s resources in an “equitable and reasonable manner” within their territories. The Nile River, which stretches a remarkable 6,695 kilometers, is the longest river globally and consists of two primary tributaries: the White Nile originating from South Sudan and the Blue Nile originating from Ethiopia. In light of the ongoing disputes with Ethiopia, Egypt has sought to bolster its influence in the Horn of Africa by engaging in security cooperation with Somalia, which stands against Ethiopia’s ambition to gain maritime access through Somaliland. A recent agreement allows Egypt to dispatch peacekeeping forces to Somalia when the African Union’s mandate concludes at the end of 2024. There has been no immediate response from Egypt regarding the newly effective Nile accord. Historically, Egypt, as a founding member of the Nile Basin Initiative, has claimed its rights to the Nile’s water resources based on a colonial-era agreement with the United Kingdom. This agreement allocated specific water rights to Egypt and Sudan, which included 55.5 billion cubic meters for Egypt and 18.5 billion cubic meters for Sudan, from a total of 84 billion cubic meters, with a quantity of 10 billion lost to evaporation. This 1929 agreement, however, failed to consider the other nations situated along the river basin that have been advocating for a more balanced distribution of water resources.
The dispute over Nile water resources has persisted for decades, primarily among upstream countries seeking greater equity in water usage and downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, which depend heavily on the river for their water supply. Historically, the rights to Nile water have been governed by treaties from the colonial era that disproportionately favored the downstream nations. The complexity of the hydro-political landscape has intensified with developments such as Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, which aims to provide electricity but raises concerns for downstream countries regarding their water security and agricultural viability.
In summary, the newly enforced water-sharing accord among Nile basin nations highlights a notable development in regional cooperation towards equitable water resource management, despite Egypt’s opposition. The increased tensions from Ethiopia’s dam construction have catalyzed a complex political landscape, necessitating careful navigation of water rights and interstate agreements in addressing the concerns of all countries involved. The outcome of this accord and its reception by Egypt and Sudan will certainly shape future interactions among the Nile basin nations.
Original Source: apnews.com
