South Sudan cabinet endorses joining Nile Basin Initiative

August 16, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s council of ministers on Friday unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the two-year-old nation’s bid to join the Nile Basin Initiative.

The young nation’s recently appointed information minister, Michael Makuei Lueth, told reporters after a cabinet meeting that the council had passed a resolution allowing the country to become the ninth member of the riparian group.

Friday’s meeting, the first since the new cabinet was appointed by president Salva Kiir Mayardit on 31 July, discussed the implementation of ongoing government projects and a framework document about the Nile Basin Initiative.

Minister Lueth said his country joined the initiative because it will enable South Sudan to engage with other states on Nile Water issues on an equal footing.

“It is important to join the Nile Basin Initiative because it will help the country benefit from assistance that are given to support projects aimed at improving lives and living standard of people depending on water from the Nile. There are projects funded by the Initiative.

“It will also make the country participates in discussions and resolutions of issues related to water management. But this can only happen if you are a member of the initiative”, he explained.

The other eight members of the Nile Basin Initiative are: Burundi, DR Congo, Egypt, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda.

(ST)

• Nile Basin Initiative (NBI)