Nile Basin agreement takes effect, Egypt objects --[Reported by Umva mag]

Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water in a statement shared on Monday said that the CFA represents a historic step toward rectifying long-standing imbalances in the access and use of Nile waters.

This marks a significant milestone in the efforts of Nile Basin countries to create a legal and institutional framework for the management and equitable use of the Nile River.

The Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, hailed the decision as a testament to the collective resolve of the Nile Basin countries to work together for mutual benefit.

 “The establishment of the Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC) will manage and safeguard the Nile River for the benefit of all countries involved and serve as the cornerstone of our cooperative efforts,” Itefa said.

The NRBC will be responsible for coordinating cooperation among the Basin states and ensuring the sustainable management of the Nile’s resources.

The CFA, which has been ratified by Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and, most recently, South Sudan, recognizes the legitimate needs of all Nile Basin countries and commits them to equitable sharing of the river’s waters.

The agreement also underscores the importance of sustainable development, cooperation, and regional integration. It is a major step in resolving historical inequities, as it ensures that all Nile Basin nations can benefit from the shared water resource.

In his statement, Itefa highlighted the importance of thinking beyond the present: “We must use the resources of the Nile not just for today, but for the generations that will come after us. The CFA ensures that we protect the Nile and its ecosystems, utilizing its waters in ways that do not jeopardize the future.”

The agreement, which took years of negotiation to reach, represents the first multilateral effort to create a comprehensive legal framework governing the Nile’s use. The CFA’s entry into force is particularly significant as it reflects the growing regional consensus around the need for cooperation over conflict. It calls for the equitable and reasonable use of the Nile’s waters, a crucial point of contention among Nile Basin countries, particularly Egypt and Sudan, which have so far refused to sign the agreement.

While upstream countries such as Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania have embraced the CFA as a step toward fairer access to Nile waters, Egypt and Sudan remain opposed.

For Egypt, which relies heavily on the Nile for its water supply, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile has been a particular source of tension, with concerns that it may reduce the country’s water share. Egypt has continued to push for a binding agreement on the dam’s operation and filling process.

MG/abj/APA

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.