Ratified by the legislatures of Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan, the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework of Agreement (CFA) has taken an implementation phase and will be overtaken by the Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC), which is duty bound to lead cooperation and projects of reciprocated importance.
It is not exaggeratedly elucidated that Ethiopia has all the time reiterated its unwavering aspiration for an equitable and reasonable use of water resources for its development endeavors; to mean the country is striving to ensure sustainable development through the effective water utilization. Taking the principal role of energy supply in achieving sustainable development that benefits fellow citizens into account; Ethiopia has so far been committed to meet its energy needs using renewable sources such as hydropower entertaining fair and reasonable fashion.
Unequivocally, Ethiopia has no intention of harming any country, other than running activities to utilize its water resources fairly and responsibly to ensure real progress. The case of the Grand Abbay Dam is an exemplary move along this line. The dam offers substantial benefits to downstream countries beyond Ethiopia as it precludes the farm lands, human and animal lives of some riparian countries from being destroyed. If truth be told, the dam is a potential to serve as a center of cooperation and fraternity. Yes, the development of the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework of Agreement helps pave the way for the vision of communal growth to come into force.
Besides, as mushrooming population growth, droughts, and famines generated ever-greater water needs in the Nile Basin in the era of 21st century, the amplified calls generated by upstream nations for the proliferation of a new legal framework has to be wholeheartedly acknowledged for golden common opportunities. True, the agreement is really a forward-looking concord that can be a viable weapon to emancipate the content in general and riparian nations in particular from poverty and lack of coordination.
The CFA also encourages the notions for benefit sharing within its principle of equitable and reasonable utilization and provides countries with a bundle of benefits. Considering the geography of the Nile Basin, although upstream water utilization does not affect other upstream states, implementing the CFA with the active involvement of Egypt and Sudan would add a momentous value, indeed! Hence, a basin-wide agreement on the Nile Basin has to be accorded so as to govern the interests of both upstream and downstream states regarding the use, allocation and management of the Nile watercourse.
No doubt, CFA presents the best option for institutional basin-wide cooperation. CFA’s potential for fostering basin-wide cooperation depends on the inclusion of all Nile Basin States though it is a significant step towards cooperative management of the Nile watercourse. Besides, the impending entry into force of the CFA is no doubt a landmark development for upstream states. Here, ensuring the participation of Egypt and Sudan is of paramount importance in fostering sustainable management of the Nile watercourse.
The good thing is South Sudan’s ratification of the agreement on the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework (CFA) marks a significant step for Ethiopia’s water diplomacy and its proposal for the fair utilization of Nile water. Yes, fair utilization of the Abbay (Nile) water is a milestone that demonstrates Ethiopia is reversing the longstanding hegemonic utilization of the Nile water through diplomacy.
In sum, Ethiopia has been carrying out myriads of tasks over the past years to reach the current level of the agreement on the Nile River, and the diplomatic work carried out by coordinating countries to ensure equitable benefits has been bearing fruits, in fact. Since the primary objective of the CFA is to ensure the long-term and sustainable management and development of the shared Nile waters, all riparian nations have to be for it and foster cooperation to effectively and fairly utilize the vast potential of the Nile water.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER 2024
