The Nile River Agreement 2015: A Step Towards Fair Water Distribution
The Nile River is one of the longest and most important rivers in the world. It stretches over 6,600 km, running through 11 countries in Africa, and is a source of livelihood for millions of people. However, its waters have been a source of controversy and conflict among the countries it runs through for many years.
The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) was established in 1999 to promote sustainable development and to address issues related to the equitable use and management of the Nile River’s waters. However, it took many years for the countries sharing the river to come to an agreement about how to share its water resources.
Finally, in 2015, a breakthrough was achieved with the signing of the Nile River Agreement, a historic treaty that aims to promote fair water distribution among the countries along the Nile River. The Agreement was signed by Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, the three countries that share control of the river’s waters.
The Agreement includes provisions for the creation of a Committee of the Nile, which will oversee the distribution of the river’s waters among the signatory countries. The Committee will also work towards ensuring that the river’s waters are used in a sustainable manner, and that disputes related to water resources are resolved amicably.
The Nile River Agreement has been hailed as a significant step towards promoting peace and stability in the region. It is also seen as a vital tool for promoting economic development, as access to water is essential for agriculture, industry, and energy production.
However, not all countries along the Nile River have signed the Agreement. South Sudan, which gained independence in 2011, has not yet signed, and neither have Burundi and Tanzania, two countries that are located in the Nile Basin. The failure of these countries to sign the Agreement is a cause for concern, as it could lead to future conflicts over the river’s waters.
In conclusion, the Nile River Agreement is an important step towards ensuring that water resources in the Nile Basin are shared equitably among the countries that share the river. It is a crucial tool for promoting peace, stability, and economic development in the region. However, it is important that all countries along the Nile River sign the Agreement to ensure that it is fully effective in resolving disputes related to the river’s waters.