South Sudan pushes Egypt, Sudan to join Nile water sharing accord

JUBA — The South Sudan government on Sunday called on Egypt and Sudan to participate in the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), a treaty that aims to ensure equitable utilization and sustainable management of the world’s longest river.

Seven countries, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have endorsed the CFA, which became effective on October 13, 2024.

Egypt and Sudan chose not to sign the accord, stating that the agreement disproportionately granted rights to the Nile River based on colonial-era treaties.

Speaking during the celebration of Nile Day in Juba on Sunday, James Mawich Makuach, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, urged Egypt, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya to join in the cooperative framework agreement on equitable sharing of Nile waters.

“This will let us move together as one family toward its most inclusive transition from NDI to the National Water Treatment Commission,” said Mawich.

He stated that the day not only celebrates the river but also a common lifeline that supports the economies, enhances food security, strengthens industries, and links histories and patterns.

“Our shared vision remains the same: to achieve sustainable socio-economic development through the equitable relations of and support for the common river line blessing water resources.”

Dr. Hani Sewilam, the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources, stated that Egypt remains committed to working through the MDI, as it is the only comprehensive framework that can unite the 10 countries of the Nile Basin.

“Egypt remains committed to the consultative process in good faith and in a spirit of cooperation and calls upon all nine Basin countries to do the same,” said Dr. Hani.

“Continued support from member states and development partners is also essential to build consensus, trust, and inclusivity. In the same line, it is essential to refrain from taking any premature institutional steps toward a CFA coalition before a Basin-wide consensus is reached.”

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.

Ethiopia plans to use the dam to generate badly needed electricity.

The accord’s rights clause states that Nile basin states “shall in their respective territories utilize the water resources of the Nile River system in an equitable and reasonable manner.”

Measuring 6,695 kilometers (4,160 miles), the Nile is the longest river in the world, with one tributary, the White Nile, starting in South Sudan and the other, the Blue Nile, in Ethiopia.