The Nile Basin Initiative says the agreement is a testament to the collective determination to harness the Nile River. file photo
A regional partnership of 10 countries said an agreement on the equitable use of water resources from the Nile River basin has come into force despite significant opposition from Egypt.
The legal status of the “cooperative framework” was formally ratified by the African Union after South Sudan joined the pact, the Nile Basin Initiative said in a statement on Sunday.
Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania have ratified the agreement. Egypt and Sudan refused to sign, while Congo abstained. Kenya has not yet deposited its ratification instruments with the African Union.
The agreement, which came into force on Sunday, is “an expression of our collective determination to use the Nile River for the benefit of all, ensuring its equitable and sustainable use for future generations,” the Nile Basin Initiative said in a statement. There is proof.” “This is a moment to congratulate the governments and people of the Nile riparian countries and all partners and stakeholders for their patience, determination and dedication to this cause.”
The lack of ratification by Egypt and Sudan – desert nations that have expressed concern over any efforts to reduce their share of Nile waters – means the agreement will prove controversial.
Tensions have increased in the region, partly triggered by Ethiopia’s construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River. Egypt fears that the dam will have a devastating impact on water and irrigation supplies downstream if Ethiopia does not take its needs into account.
published – October 15, 2024 09:55 AM IST