The Nile is no more a bone of Contention

but is a source of Co-operation !!

By: Tsehaye Debalkew,  March  29, 2016

 

 

The longest river in the world, the Nile which  is shared by many riparian States that necessitates its development with the objective of fairness and justice has been a victim colonialism   targeting countries that were primarily stake holders until Nile basin initiative that declared null and void hitherto existing Agreements . 

Ethiopia, a nation which is referred to as the water tower of Africa has long earned the bad reputation as the epicenter of famines.  Despite this saddening episode Ethiopia could not develop its water resources to feed its needy population, mainly because of policies of international financial institutions that sadly have fallen prey to the continued barrage of Egyptian mythology which claims that Egypt is the gift of the Nile. Although it is plausible to admit that according to the adage Egypt remains to be the gift of the Nile, it is beyond doubt that the Nile is indeed  the gift of Ethiopia.
Ethiopia is building the Grand Renaissance Dam, a power generating one, expected to produce around 6000 megawatts of electricity. According to the report of the International Panel of Experts, the mega dam does not put Egyptian interests in jeopardy.  

The war drumming scenario unleashed by some Egyptian media and a few elements who blindly cherish the old status quo despite the fact that the report of an independent international panel of experts drawn from Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan and other countries had concluded that the hydropower dam would not significantly reduce the flow of water reaching Sudan and Egypt,. It appears that the notion has already sank in the minds of the political elite of Egypt' that have started to call of an all round development efforts, including the concluding of Political Agreements between Ethiopia and Egypt .This shift of policy from the distinguishing feature of Egyptian foreign policy relying on bullying its neighbors through intransigence into demanding economic and political. agreements with Ethiopia, is a  victory of the Foreign Policy of Ethiopia.

 Ethiopian foreign policy vision is Development through genuine Co-operation anchored on fairness, justice and equitable utilization of resources, including extra-territorial assets as it emanates from its world recognized constitution. 

The Nile belongs to both the upper and lower riparian states. These countries need to work together and march forward  by resolving any challenges they face on their way to extricate their people from the grinding poverty that unfortunately is an anathema for all that are situated more or less in the same package. None of them can afford conflagration.  All of them need peace and development.  Peace and development can only be achieved through concerted and purposeful venue aimed at attaining them wholeheartedly and in earnest.  Co-operation must be the defining lot of all, by not turning the Nile into a bone of contention but making it a beacon and source of co-operation.