The Nile Basin Comprehensive Framework Agreement (CFA) entered a significant stage on July 8, 2024, when the Republic of South Sudan ratified the agreement. This momentous occasion ushers in a new era of cooperation in the equitable utilization of shared resources. Equally true, its ratification successfully ends the years of banal debate on so-called colonial era rights by the downstream nations.
Under the patronage of colonial powers, downstream countries have been designated the exclusive proprietors of the longest river in the world, while other riparian states, like Ethiopia, the river’s source and main contributor, have been living in darkness because of a shortage of energy.
In fact, transboundary natural resources have been sources of conflicts and confrontations among nations, with the scarcity of natural resources like water and the sharp population growth driving countries against one another. And currently, nations are being forced to come up with various initiatives due to the ever-increasing demand for electricity, drinking water, and other developments fueled by ever-expanding populations. These same reasons emboldened Ethiopia to lay the foundation for its flagship Abbay Dam, also known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. However, the dam is more than a project; it is a clear signal to the world that cooperation is the way forward to ensure mutual growth.
Over the years, the country’s brave and audacious leadership has made great strides toward promoting regional cooperation and creating the conditions for equitable and rational resource sharing.
Ethiopia has set the standard for the just and equitable use of the world’s longest river with the adoption of the Comprehensive Framework Agreement and the signature of the Declaration of Principles.
The nation has demonstrated its strong opposition to colonial treaties in the Nile that countries downstream frequently bring up. Sudan and Egypt have traditionally been the only nations to profit from the Abbay River, despite it being a shared resource.
Ethiopia’s colossal dam for those even-minded countries is a textbook example of regional integration for it would connect other nations to the power grid as well. After the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) was established by the riparian countries of the Nile Basin, the nation was the first to ratify the CFA.
In the recent UN assembly, Ethiopia reaffirmed its unwavering position on the equitable and fair use of the Abbay River. Despite providing a sizable portion of the shared resource, Ethiopia has been leading the charge to support Regional Corporation and dismantle long-standing abuse and unfair monopolies that have impeded potential progress. Yet Ethiopia has led the charge in uniting riparian nations and developing a shared framework for managing the valuable resource since the start of the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) and the Abbay dam later on.
Empirical evidence has supported the nation’s leadership. In addition to being one of the first members of the CFA, the nation also ratified the 2017 Memorandum of Understanding with Sudan and Egypt and the Declarations of Principle. With the ratification of CFA by the necessary number of countries, downstream countries are under more pressure to join upstream countries and cooperate toward shared socioeconomic growth. Ethiopia is at the center of regional collaboration. Ironically, downstream countries that make no contributions have become obsessed with preserving a colonial monopoly, while the largest contributor of the river chooses a path of cooperation and discussion.
Last week, Ethiopia, in the UN General Assembly, encouraged Egypt to ratify the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) on the Nile River that would return the country to peaceful conduct of its relations with the riparian states.
Ethiopia also urged the downstream country to choose the path of negotiation and international law as well as reorient its colonial-based policy on the Abbay (Nile River).
Ethiopian Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations delivered his country’s first right of reply to the unfounded accusation of Egypt against Ethiopia in its policy statement at the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79.)
The diplomat emphasized the importance of regional cooperation and development in managing the shared water resource, local media reported.
Egypt is thus encouraged to ratify the CFA and play a constructive role in regional development, Ambassador Yoseph Kassaye stated.
“Egypt has the golden opportunity to return to the peaceful conduct of its relations with the Nile River riparian states. Egypt is thus encouraged to ratify the CFA and play a constructive role in regional development,” he underlined.
Contrary to Ethiopia’s bold position, Egypt has continued to make baseless accusations and unfounded claims. But such efforts are doomed to fail. Egypt should no longer waste time on futile deeds but needs to make up its mind and ratify the agreement.
As the basin stands at a critical juncture, it is imperative that downstream countries consider ratifying the CFA and engaging in meaningful cooperation with their upstream neighbors. The agreement is soon to be signed into law under the auspicious of the African Union.
In the continuing discussion over Nile water rights, the African Union plays a crucial role as a mediator. Its focus on cooperation and unity on a continental scale is exactly in line with the goals of the CFA.
A Sudan and Egypt need to understand that the secret to sustainable resource management is collaboration, not conflict. A crucial chance to create a common vision for the Nile that honors the needs and rights of all participating nations is presented by the CFA.
In an era marked by increasing environmental challenges and dwindling resources, it is essential for all Nile Basin countries to come together. It is time for Egypt and Sudan to seize this opportunity, engage with Ethiopia in a spirit of partnership, and commit to a future where the Nile continues to nourish and sustain all its riparian states. Enforcing CFA creates the fundamental idea that every state in the Nile Basin is entitled to use the Nile River’s waters inside its borders. The implementation of CFA would bring about significant changes that Egypt and Sudan cannot afford to ignore or undervalue. It is therefore in Egypt’s and Sudan’s best interests to join the CFA and collaborate with the other Nile riparian nations to manage, share, develop, and safeguard the Nile River Basin.
BY DESTA GEBREHIWOT
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER 2024
