River Nile is the largest river in Africa and a great source of clean water. According to the latest news, the East African countries bordering the Nile River are currently in a fight to determine who should have control over the river. Back in 1929, the British colonial powers handed over the control to Egypt, but now nine countries long for access to the crucial waters.
Egypt has always guarded the waters as they primarily benefit. The neighboring countries requested to build dams upstream so that they can use the waters for irrigation purposes, but Egypt prohibits the action. As per reports, each year, they take around fifty-five billion cubic meters of the waters to boost their projects.
Day to day rise in conflicts
Currently, Egypt posses River Nile eighty percent; Sudan takes eleven percent as the rest is for the other seven countries. As a result, this has raised conflicts over the ownership of the freshwater river. Kitra asked about this case, says the Nile is for everyone, although by law Egypt and Sudan claim it to be theirs. According to the news, Raila Odinga, the Kenyan Prime arrived in Cairo last night, and the DRC president Joseph Kabila as well is to join him on Tuesday so as they can set a new agreement on the same.
outcome of negotiations
Besides, Egypt has reacted decisively to the need to set the new terms as they claim that it will bring a disaster to its people who live along the river banks. The current rise in demand for these waters is creating a lot of tension and tension. Countries like Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania have also gathered to set a new agreement, but Egypt, together with Sudan, have rejected it. Charity Ngilu, the Kenyan Chief Minister of water resources, also signed a treaty last week on Thursday. The British office says it is following the crisis closely but won’t get involved for now. It urges all the parties to hold a precise meeting. Discuss and come up with a solution to the issue before it brings more conflicts.
It is a decade now since the bordering states to the Nile River started the negotiation on the appropriate share. As vital as it sounds, the nations have not yet agreed although they are trying their best to arrive at one. The chief director of the inter-governmental Nile Basin scheme, Henriette Ndombe, urges the states to oversee the conciliation procedure. Additionally, enhance cooperation as it may catalyze conflicts if the issue is not taken care of as early as possible.
Conclusion
The bottom line here is that the states should come to an agreement, share, and protect the Nile River in this time of unstable climate, exploding population, and economic needs accompanied by environmental threats. Of course, no one knows about the future. Maybe this river will save a lot of people some days to come. There is no need to go for conflicts, fight, and hate as there is always a solution to every situation. The involved states should remember that diplomacy is a significant aspect to navigate this conflict.
More;
- Ethiopia to skip Nile Dam talks in US with Egypt, Sudan
- Why Ethiopia is the Fastest Growing Economy in Africa
