A fresh wave of tension has swept over the Nile Basin as Egypt and Sudan firmly oppose the newly ratified Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA). The agreement, now endorsed by six upstream countries, came into effect on October 13, intensifying long-standing disputes over water resources among the Nile nations.
Egypt and Sudan Stand Firm Against CFA
Egypt and Sudan aren’t backing down in this high-stakes water debate.
Their joint statement after the PJTC meeting in Cairo was crystal clear: the CFA threatens regional stability.
They argue that the six-member commission can’t possibly represent the interests of all Nile Basin countries.
“The incomplete CFA cannot speak for the entire Nile Basin,” the statement emphasized.
Both nations are pushing for a return to the 1999 Nile Basin Initiative, seeking a more inclusive framework that prevents unilateral actions by upstream countries.
Upstream Nations Push Forward with New Commission
Meanwhile, the upstream countries are moving ahead.
- Ratifying Countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda.
- Their Goal: Establish the Nile River Basin Commission to oversee equitable water sharing.
Ethiopia, a key player among the upstream nations, views the CFA as vital for its development.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the agreement as a step toward sustainable growth, benefiting all Nile Basin countries.
However, this optimism isn’t shared downstream.
Historical Agreements at the Center of the Dispute
At the heart of the conflict lie colonial-era treaties.
Egypt and Sudan rely heavily on the 1929 and 1959 Nile River Agreements.
These treaties allocate the majority of the Nile’s waters to them, rights they consider binding under international law.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi stressed that water security is a top priority.
“We cannot afford to lose a single drop of water,” he stated at the Cairo Water Week.
The construction of Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam only adds fuel to the fire, symbolizing both progress for Ethiopia and potential crisis for Egypt and Sudan.
Geopolitical Ramifications Extend Beyond the Nile
The dispute is spilling over into regional geopolitics.
Egypt is strengthening alliances with other African nations to counter Ethiopia’s influence.
- Recent Moves:
- Signed a military cooperation agreement with Somalia in August.
- Offered to deploy peacekeepers as part of the upcoming AUSSOM mission.
Ethiopia views these actions with concern, fearing destabilization in the Horn of Africa.
The tension underscores how water rights can impact broader regional stability.
