Nile Basin Commission vital to ensuring equitable, sustainable utilization of shared river

Addis Ababa, July 30, 2024 (FBC) – Nile Basin Commission would be a pivotal step towards creating internationally accepted institutional base vital to ensuring equitable and sustainable development on the Nile River, Ethiopia’s Water and Energy State Minister, Ambassador Asfaw Dingamo remarked.

The Nile Cooperation Framework Agreement (CFA), a product of over a decade of negotiations among Nile Basin countries, outlines rights and obligations for the development of the Nile Basin water resources, promotes the equitable and reasonable utilization of the River.

However, at least six countries should ratify the framework to establish the Nile Basin Commission to promote and facilitate the implementation of the CFA.

South Sudan has become the latest country to ratify the CFA, following Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi.

To activate the Commission, two-thirds of signatory countries must ratify the agreement. With South Sudan’s parliamentary approval, this threshold is within reach. The Commission will be tasked with establishing a robust international framework for utilizing the river’s resources.

Spearheaded by Ethiopia, the agreement has now garnered support from riparian states, with South Sudan being the most recent signatory. The agreement seeks to establish equitable water sharing, foster regional collaboration, and safeguard the Nile’s ecosystem.

State Minister of Water and Energy, Ambassador Asfaw Dingamo, who had also served as Ethiopia’s negotiator over the past years, emphasized Ethiopia’s leading role in advocating for equitable and reasonable use of Nile waters.

He said the establishment of Nile Basin Commission as envisaged in the CFA would be a pivotal step to ensuring equitable utilization and sustainable development on the Nile River for shared development by creating internationally accepted legal institutional framework.

The establishment of the Nile Basin Commission, as outlined in the agreement, will mark a significant milestone. The Commission will be responsible for overseeing water allocation, management, and development among member states, operating under internationally recognized legal and institutional guidelines.

The state minister urged remaining countries to expedite the ratification process to ensure the Commission’s swift establishment and operation reiterating Ethiopia’s commitment to supporting the Commission’s work and securing its international recognition, ENA reported.

The country envisions the Commission as a global model for water resource management, incorporating factors like water flow, hydrological conditions, and meteorological data to determine equitable allocations.

The priority now is to officially establish the Commission and ensure its smooth operation. Ethiopia remains committed to leading efforts to gain international recognition for this crucial body, Asfaw stated.