Addis ABABA – As the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) seeks cooperative development of the Nile Basin water resources, applying it is crucial to maintain fair and reasonable water utilization and smooth potential frictions, said senior expert in the field.
Speaking to The Ethiopian Herald, Assistant Professor Yacob Arsano (PhD), Dean of Political Science and International Relations Department at Addis Ababa University, said that the two colonial era water sharing agreements made in the 1900s and 1959 on the utilization of Nile water were unjust as they contradicted with Transboundary Water Governance Laws and did not consider the water needs of riparian countries.
There is no legal ground that could prevent riparian countries from utilizing the Nile waters equitably, fairly, and in more cooperative fashion. In light of this, the establishment of the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) could be one step to address the concerns of all riparian in line with cooperation and ensure lasting development in the region, he said.
As to him, now it is time to make sure that each riparian nation benefit from the Nile and utilize the waters in the spirit of cooperation and good faith, instead of wasting time in contention.
Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda signed the agreement on this very first day. Five days later, Kenya joined them. Burundi also joined the signatories. South Sudan and The Democratic Republic of Congo are expected to follow suit.
As to him, CFA is an agreement that could strengthen cooperation and govern relations among the basin countries with regard to the Nile River Basin-to promote integrated management, sustainable development, and harmonious utilization of the water resources of the Basin as well as conservation and protection of the resource for the benefit of present and future generations.
Further, it allows the establishment of a permanent Nile River Basin Commission through which member countries will act together to manage and develop the resources of the Nile.
The signing of the CFA is a significant development in the process of negotiation on the utilization of the Nile Waters. For the upper riparian, the signing of the CFA marks the realization of a goal toward which all the riparian countries have been negotiating for over a decade, he added.
Saying that the CFA is expected to enter into force when two-third of the riparian countries ratify it, he urged all riparian countries to sign CFA soon.
While speaking to media, Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO) General Manager, Fekiahmed Negash noted that Nile water is a resource for all Nile Basin countries and riparian nations should look their future under the umbrella of CFA.
Countries should not stick to the colonial treaties that do acknowledge the concerns of the respective nations, CFA is the only line that could shape the concern of each countries.
The Ethiopian Herald April 1/2020
