As the Nile basin enters a watershed moment with the official entry into force of the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) on 13 October 2024, the time has come for downstream countries to come on board and embrace a more collaborative and forward-thinking approach to manage the shared resources.
For too long, the utilization of the world’s longest river had been viewed through a lens a monopoly. And, the so-called historical rights made the path to a collective solution bumpy and any possible outcome elusive. Downstream’s outdated position has hindered progress and put the water-scarce region in increasingly precarious conditions.
If implemented properly and effectively managed, CFA offers a path to a more cooperative and sustainable future, where the common resources are shared equitably, and where all countries have a say in how the river is managed reasonably.
Egypt and Sudan have long dominated both the use and storyline around the Abay River with colonial-era treaties, which gave them exclusive rights and monopoly over the shared resource. Egypt and Sudan were essentially given over 90% of the Nile’s flow under the accords they signed in 1929 and 1959, leaving the upstream countries with little access to the river even though they contributed to its flow.
Clinging on obsolete agreements and ignoring modern scenarios is no longer a sustainable and collective remedy for the region. And it is through collective initiatives like CFA a more cooperative and inclusive approach is ensured. At a time when cooperation has come to fruition in the region, Egypt and Sudan run the risk of isolating themselves.
The CFA encourages joint investments in infrastructure, sustainable water management, and development projects that benefit all parties. For example, upstream countries can develop hydropower projects that generate electricity not just for themselves but for their neighbors, downstream countries can be assured of water flows to sustain their agriculture and livelihoods.
In this regard, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a prime example of why downstream nations should reconsider their opposition to the CFA. Ethiopia’s construction of the GERD has the potential to bring lofty dividends to the region. It can provide affordable electricity to neighboring countries while carefully regulating water releases to ensure minimal impact on downstream flows.
The official entry of the agreement into force will bring the years of banal argument to an end and assert that cooperation is a must to usher the region into an avenue of collective development.
Downstream countries must recognize that holding onto historical agreements will not solve the challenges of the future. Joining the CFA is not about relinquishing control but about ensuring their long-term water security in an era of growing uncertainty. By coming on board, they can help shape the rules of cooperation, secure their water needs, and foster stability in the region.
The principles enshrined in the Agreement for the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework (CFA) fix historic wrongs, ascertain equitable use and foster mutual understanding and shared responsibility, the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Ethiopia underscored.
The dedication, perseverance, and collaborative spirit displayed by state parties throughout this process would, no doubt, enhance cooperation and provide the impetus to realize the equitable and reasonable management and utilization of the shared water resource, the ministry stated in a statement posted on social media.
In sum, Egypt and Sudan must step forward and engage with their upstream neighbors in good faith, recognizing that their future prosperity depends on collective action. The Nile cannot be a source of conflict, or it can be a symbol of regional unity and shared progress. And, the time is now to act.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2024
