Egypt has urged Nile Basin countries to reconsider the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), rejected by Egypt and Sudan but signed by upstream nations. Minister Hani Sewilam called for inclusive discussions to safeguard the interests of all nations. He emphasized Egypt’s insufficient water supply and rejection of the CFA as is, while President Al-Sisi noted the existential importance of the Nile. Amid growing tensions, particularly over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the situation requires careful navigation to foster collaborative water governance.
On the recent occasion of a water event in Cairo, Egypt’s Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam called upon the Nile Basin nations to reevaluate their stance on the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), commonly referred to as the Entebbe Agreement. This agreement delineates the principles and obligations necessary for the management and development of the Nile Basin, a crucial water source for the region. Presently, Egypt and Sudan have rejected the CFA, which has been signed by other upstream nations, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Minister Sewilam emphasized the importance of inclusive discussions among all riparian countries, advocating for a collaborative approach that safeguards the interests of each nation involved. He underscored that Egypt’s water supply is insufficient to meet the growing demands of its population, asserting that “Egypt will not concede even a single cubic metre of Nile water and firmly rejects the Entebbe Agreement in its current form.” President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi echoed this sentiment by labeling the preservation of Egypt’s water resources as an “existential issue,” noting that the Nile constitutes over 98% of the country’s water supply. The CFA marks a significant multilateral undertaking among Nile Basin states aimed at establishing a legal and institutional framework for the governance of the river’s utilization and management. Tensions have escalated particularly between Egypt and Ethiopia concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Ethiopia views as pivotal for its economic growth. Conversely, Egypt perceives the GERD as a critical threat to its water allocation, demanding a binding agreement regarding the dam’s filling and operational protocols.
The Nile River has historically been a source of collaboration but also contention among the countries that depend on its waters. The Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) was introduced as a diplomatic effort to establish a mutually beneficial regulatory framework governing the river’s resources among the Nile Basin states. Egypt and Sudan’s rejection of the CFA underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding water rights and management in this region, particularly in light of Ethiopia’s recent construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which aims to harness the river’s water for developmental purposes. The contrasting perspectives on this project have intensified the existing tensions, raising critical issues regarding water security and national sovereignty.
In conclusion, Egypt’s call for a reassessment of the Cooperative Framework Agreement symbolizes a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding Nile water management. The insistence on an inclusive dialogue that respects the interests of all riparian countries could pave the way for a more equitable resolution to the water-sharing dilemma. However, the entrenched positions of the involved nations, particularly concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, indicate that significant challenges remain to achieve a consensus that satisfies all parties.
Original Source: www.middleeastmonitor.com
