CFA Ratification Will End Old Age Narrative of Monopoly Over Use Nile River: Member of Parliament

Addis Ababa, August 1/2024(ENA)- The ratification of the  Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA)  will guarantee cooperation on the equitable use of the Nile River by rectifying the age old narrative of monopoly over the use this shared natural resources, member of Foreign Relations and Peace Affairs Standing Committee at the House of Peoples Representative, Sadiq Adem underscored.

The agreement has been opened for ratification by member states since 2010. Between 2013 and 2023, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi have ratified the initiative. 

CFA outlines rights and obligations for the development of the Nile Basin water resources, promotes the equitable and reasonable utilization of the River.

But at least six countries should ratify the framework to establish the Nile Basin Commission and bring it into full force. 

Its implementation will lead to the establishment of a Commission that will ensure fair and equitable usage of the water resources of the Nile.

Now, the Republic of South Sudan has become the sixth nation to ratify the agreement. 

Sadiq Adem, a lawyer and member of the Standing Committee of Foreign Relations and Peace wrote his post graduate dissertation focusing on the significance, implications and advantages of the establishment of a Nile riparian Commission based on the agreement on CFA.

Talking to ENA on the importance of the application of the CFA, Sadiq noted that despite the fact that the initiative was ratified since 2010, 14 years have elapsed since any meaningful step has been taken on its implementation.

He said that efforts made to retain the 1929 and 1959 colonial agreements on the use of the waters of the Nile have continued to hinder and drag the implementation of the agreement.

Disregarding the unfair and defunct agreements on the use of the waters of the Nile, the signatory countries have now resolved to work on a framework that will ensure equitable distribution and mutual development of the Nile thrusting the NBI to a decisive stage, the MP  noted. 

The implementation of the CFA will not only annul colonial agreements on the use of the waters of the Nile but will also replace provisional agreements by a permanent agreement, Sadiq added.

The ratification of the agreement, according to him, will end the age old narrative of monopolizing the use of the waters of the Nile and replacing it with new initiative that will ensure cooperation on equitable and mutually beneficial use of the water resources of the Nile. 

Sadiq said the implementation of the agreement will play a positive role by luring the nations that have so far not ratified the initiative to join in.

Implementing the CFA will secure international recognition for the agreement which will in turn provide an opportunity to acquire technical, financial and diplomatic support from international financial institutions and governments. 

He mentioned that Ethiopia is one of the first countries to ratify the agreement and has contributed diplomatic and public relations efforts to make the agreement reach its current decisive stage.

Ethiopia is expected to conduct integrated and comprehensive diplomatic efforts in cooperation with the riparian countries to start the implementation of the agreements in the shortest possible time, adding that Ethiopia needs to brief the rest of the world through her diplomatic channels on the importance of the initiative for accelerating the implementation of the agreement, Sadiq added.

He further stated that the signatory countries should engage in collective efforts to ensure the effective implementation of the projects in the agreement  and consult each other on the possibilities of faster implementation.  

The MP further noted that those countries that have so far not ratified the agreement need to realize the comparative and mutual advantage of working for common benefits from the water resources of the Nile.

He noted the CSO, scholars and all stakeholders need to discharge their contributions towards the effective implementation of the agreement. 

South Sudan will be part of the implementing countries within 60 days of the  ratification on July 8,2024 and approval of the  of the initiative by the parliament.