A new water-sharing agreement among Nile basin nations has come into force, despite the opposition of Egypt. The Nile Basin Initiative, representing 10 countries in the region, announced that the cooperative framework for the equitable use of water resources in the Nile River basin has been formally confirmed by the African Union. While Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have ratified the accord, Egypt and Sudan have declined to sign, and Congo abstained. Kenya has yet to deposit its ratification documents with the African Union.
The agreement, which officially took effect on Sunday, is seen as a significant step towards ensuring the sustainable and fair use of the Nile River for all involved. The Nile Basin Initiative commended the governments and people of the riparian countries for their dedication to this cause.
Concerns loom over the lack of approval from Egypt and Sudan, primarily due to their vested interests in Nile water. These desert nations have historically been apprehensive about any initiatives that could impact their water shares. The ongoing tensions are exacerbated by Ethiopia’s construction of a massive dam on the Blue Nile, a crucial tributary of the Nile River. Egypt is wary that the dam could disrupt its water and irrigation supplies unless Ethiopia considers its needs. The dam project is intended to provide much-needed electricity for Ethiopia.
The agreement stipulates that Nile basin states must use water resources in an equitable and reasonable manner within their territories. At 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles) long, the Nile is the world’s longest river, with tributaries originating in South Sudan and Ethiopia. Egypt has recently sought to bolster its position in the Horn of Africa by pledging security cooperation with Somalia, which opposes Ethiopia’s ambitions to access the sea through Somaliland.
Egypt’s position on the newly effective accord remains unclear. The country has historically asserted its rights to Nile water under a colonial-era agreement with the United Kingdom, which primarily allocated water rights to downstream Egypt and Sudan. This unequal distribution has been a point of contention for other countries along the Nile basin seeking a fairer agreement.
As the Nile basin nations move forward with the water-sharing agreement, the region is set for continued discussions and negotiations to ensure equitable and sustainable use of this vital resource.