Ethiopia pledges to not affect water rights of riparian countries
May 5, 2009 (ADDIS ABABA) — Ethiopia said today it would work closely with other Nile riparian countries and would not go against their interests.
In the framework of preparation of the Egyptian chairmanship of the 17th Nile Council of Ministers, the Egyptian minister of water resources and irrigation is touring the region to discuss joint projects and tackle different positions about the exploitation of Nile water.
In a meeting held today in Addis Ababa, the visiting Egyptian minister of water resource and irrigation, Dr. Mohamed Nasr Eddin Alam discussed with his Ethiopian counterpart Mr. Asfaw Dingamo bilateral cooperation in Nile water development.
Following the meeting minister Asfaw said Ethiopia committed itself to working closely with the Nile riparian countries, adding they would not go against the interests of neighboring countries as it moves in line with international treaties.
On his part said Egypt would move in keeping with mutuality,and pledged that his government would enhance its education and training support for Ethiopia.
Egypt and Sudan hold absolute rights to use 100 per cent of the river’s water under agreements reached in 1929 between Egypt and Britain and in 1959 between Egypt and Sudan.
The agreements prohibit Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan and Ethiopia from implementing projects utilizing Nile water without prior permission from Egypt.
However, Egypt and Sudan reject to endorse a new treaty called Nile Water Basin Cooperative Framework (NWBCF) because they fear it would affect their current rights. The other countries particularly Kenya, Tanzania say the new agreement aims at guaranteeing water security for the upper riparian countries of the Nile basin.
The NWBCF is signed by 6 riparian countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.
Kenya and Tanzania openly declared in the past they would not recognise the treaty, since they were not party to it, with the latter announcing a major project that will draw water from Lake Victoria in violation of the treaty.
Ethiopia constructs a hydroelectric power project but affirms it would not affect the rights of the neighboring countries.
In today’s meeting the two parties recognized the long-standing nature of relations between Ethiopia and Egypt. Also minister Asfaw acknowledged the support Egypt has been providing to Ethiopia in the area of the water sector, particularly in terms of training.
(ST)