Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement officially enters into force – Minister

Addis Ababa, October 13, 2024 (FBC) – Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, confirmed that the Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) has officially entered into force today.

In his statement regarding this development, the Minister said that today is a special day in the history of the Nile Basin and congratulated the entire Ethiopian people, the governments and peoples of the riparian countries for achieving this historic achievement.

The Minister also expressed his gratitude to the Ethiopians who have contributed to this agreement in various ways since its inception.

He mentioned that the implementation of CFA will enable the establishment of the Nile River Basin Commission. According to him, the Commission will be responsible for managing and protecting the Nile River for the benefit of all and it will serve as the cornerstone of the cooperation.

He reminded that the Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement is a common legal framework for the riparian countries, a testimony of their mutual commitment to utilize the Nile River for the benefit of all, and an agreement that confirms the right to use the water resources equally and fairly.

The CFA redresses existing inequities in the utilization of Nile water resource, Habtamu mentioned, pointing out that it will ensure the mutual benefit of all the riparian countries.

The Minister further stated that the agreement will recognize the legal rights of all the Nile riparian countries and will ensure the fair share and sustainable utilization of the Nile water resource.

Habtamu pointed out that CFA represents the hope of all countries, where each country will grow and prosper together without violating the rights of others.

Sustainable development is at the center of the cooperation agreement, the minister said, explaining that it will enable to utilize the Nile water resources not only for today but also for the generations to come.

“The agreement obliges us to protect the Nile river and its environment, to utilize the water in a way that does not harm others,” he asserted.

The minister called on all the riparian countries to join the agreement and implement its principles faithfully. He further appealed for concerted efforts to build a future where the Nile River will be a source of hope, to alleviate challenges together and create a better world for current and future generations.

He also thanked the international community for their contribution in the journey of cooperation and requested that their partnership continue to be strengthened in the path to a new phase of cooperation.