The time has come for downstream nations to join the Nile basin and adopt a more cooperative and progressive approach to managing the shared resources as the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) formally enters into force on October 13, 2024, marking a watershed moment. The agreement’s formal implementation will end years of pointless debate and declare that collaboration is essential to guiding the area onto a path of shared growth.
Downstream nations must understand that clinging to past accords won’t address today’s problems. In a time of increasing uncertainty, joining the CFA is about securing their long-term water security, not about giving up power. By joining forces, they can secure their water needs, promote regional stability, and contribute to determining the rules of cooperation.
The use of the longest river in the world has been perceived as a monopoly for far too long. Furthermore, the so-called historical rights made any potential resolution difficult and the road to a common settlement rocky. The antiquated location downstream has impeded development and made the water-scarce area more vulnerable.
When properly implemented and managed, CFA provides a route to a more sustainable and cooperative future in which all nations have a role in the reasonable management of the river and the common resources are distributed fairly.
Due to colonial-era treaties that granted them exclusive rights and monopoly over the common resource, Egypt and Sudan have long controlled the Abay River’s use and narrative. Under the agreements they signed in 1929 and 1959, Egypt and Sudan were effectively granted more than 90% of the Nile’s flow, leaving the upstream nations with little access to the river despite their contributions to its flow. Relying on out-of-date agreements and disregarding contemporary situations is no longer a viable and cooperative solution for the area.
The CFA promotes cooperative investments in development projects, sustainable water management, and infrastructure that are advantageous to all stakeholders. For instance, downstream nations can be guaranteed water flows to support their agriculture and means of subsistence, while upstream nations can create hydroelectric projects that produce electricity for both themselves and their neighbours.
In this sense, downstream countries should reevaluate their objections to the CFA, as demonstrated by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The region could reap significant benefits from Ethiopia’s development of the GERD. It may supply neighbouring nations with reasonably priced electricity while carefully controlling water discharges to guarantee that downstream flows are not adversely affected.
The Agreement for the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) upholds values that right historical wrongs, ensure fair usage, and promote understanding and shared accountability. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that 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.
Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Engineer Habtamu Itefa, said for his part that the Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) is a backbone and is going to “make the big shift toward utilization of water resources.”
CFA, which will enable the establishment of the Nile River Basin Commission, has officially entered into force, ENA reported.
The Minister of Water and Energy, Engineer Habtamu briefed the media today on the entry into force of CFA.
He congratulated the people of Ethiopia, the governments and the people of the Nile Basin countries for this historic and successful achievement.
“I want to congratulate all Ethiopians and citizens of the Nile Basin member states. This is a wonderful and fruitful achievement for all of us who were demanding justice and equal rights in utilizing our water resources,” he stated.
He recalled that previously all laws that we had in the Nile Basin was not inclusive, which was formulated for few citizens, especially on the downstream side. It ignored upstream citizens including Ethiopia and other upstream countries.
“We have been demanding how we can have fair, reasonable utilization right on our water resource. CFA is a backbone and is going to make the big shift toward utilization of water resources,” the minister underlined.
He explained that we believe there has been injustice in how the Nile has been utilized, mainly from our brothers and the downstream side.
“CFA is getting no harm on no one, and it’s inclusive for the downstream and the upstream needs. That is change and achievement.”
Moreover, he urged all basin countries to join the agreement and faithfully implement its principles.
“I would like to request all member states, our Egyptian brothers, and our Sudanese brothers. If you have any concern regarding the CFA, this all-inclusive, let’s get in touch, talk about it and utilize it.”
He stated that all countries in the basin can benefit without leaving anyone behind, emphasizing Ethiopia’s commitment to collaborating with both downstream and upstream nations.
The minister noted that Ethiopia is contributing more than 85 per cent to Nile Water but “we had no saying at all in the previous time.”
With the CFA, Ethiopians and other upstream riparian countries can now come together to plan for the betterment of their shared interests.
This agreement will serve as a foundation for establishing the Nile River Basin Commission.
The commission will operate independently, supporting development throughout the Nile Basin and facilitating the implementation of projects from upstream to downstream.
CFA has about 15 principles, which can be categorized into three main units.
“The first principle focuses on how we utilize our water for development, second addresses the stewardship of our water resources, ensuring their sustainability for current and future generations and third about information and data sharing among basin countries.”
Recall South Sudan has become the latest country to ratify the CFA, joining Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi.
Regarding Egypt and Sudan, he pointed out that these countries have historically sought to utilize the Nile’s waters exclusively through their agreements.
“Because some parties, particularly Egypt and Sudan, do not accept the agreement, they may wish to continue exploiting water resources solely for themselves, arguing that the entire water wealth belongs only to them. This creates inequality among the countries and underscores the necessity for a legally sound and equitable water use system to avert conflicts.”
He said that both countries should come to their senses and join CFA as most of the members are source countries where the Nile River originates.
The CFA highlights the ongoing demand for equitable sharing of water resources, emphasizing the critical need for a fair legal framework to address these challenges.
Given that cooperation is essential to their future success, Egypt and Sudan must take the initiative and sincerely interact with their upstream neighbors. The Nile cannot be a cause of strife; rather, it can represent regional solidarity and progress. And now is the moment to take action.
BY STAFF REPORTER
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 2024
