12 Nov 2024        14:19:32 pm

International Relations

Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement

Tags : Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement

Topic: Multilateral Agreements

Why in the news?

• A regional partnership of 10 countries said an agreement on the equitable use of water resources from the Nile River basin has come into force despite the notable opposition of Egypt.
• Ethiopia, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania have ratified the accord. Egypt and Sudan declined to sign, while Congo abstained. Kenya has not yet deposited its ratification documents with the African Union.
• Tensions in the region have increased, stemming in part from Ethiopia’s construction of a $4 billion dam on the Blue Nile, a key tributary of the Nile River. Egypt fears the dam will have a devastating effect on water and irrigation supplies downstream unless Ethiopia takes its needs into account.

Source: The Hindu 

About Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement:

• It replaces colonial agreements from 1929 and 1959 that gave Egypt veto powers over Nile usage.
• It introduces Article 14b, ensuring no significant effect on water security for any Nile Basin State.
• It is negotiated among nine Nile Basin countries (Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda) and later ratified by five nations (Burundi, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda) and South Sudan acceded.
• Egypt and Sudan opposed the agreement, particularly Article 14b, citing concerns about water security.

Nile River:

• It is one of the world’s longest rivers, stretching approximately 6,695 kilometers.
• It originates from Lake Victoria.
• Its basin includes parts of Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (DRC), Kenya, and Egypt.
• It forms an arcuate delta as it flows into the Mediterranean Sea.
• Its principal tributaries include the Blue Nile, Atbara and White Nile.

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