CFA Harmonizes with International Law, Says EIPD Head

Addis Ababa: The Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), according to Yassin Ahmed, head of the Ethiopian Institute of Public Diplomacy, is a harmonious and consistent embodiment of internationally accepted water law. The agreement, which officially took effect on Sunday after more than a decade of negotiations, is seen as a significant milestone in the management of the Nile River’s waters among the countries sharing this vital resource.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Yassin Ahmed emphasized that the CFA aligns with international water law, which promotes peaceful cooperation among countries and optimizes socio-economic and environmental benefits. The Entebbe Agreement, which nullifies all colonial-era agreements, is firmly rooted in international water law. Yassin explained that the CFA aligns with the principles set forth in the 2014 international law governing transit waters. He stressed the importance of this agreement being recognized by global entities such as the Security Council and t
he United Nations, as it is grounded in international water law.

Yassin also highlighted the challenges to historical rights posed by the Entebbe Agreement, noting that the CFA will rectify past inequities in access to the Nile’s waters. He urged Egypt to embrace regional cooperation with its Nile Basin neighbors and expressed optimism about Egypt reconnecting with the African community. He pointed out that Ethiopia serves as Egypt’s gateway to Africa, a region from which it has been largely absent for over four decades. The emphasis was also on the necessity for Egyptian officials to recognize and cooperate with Nile Basin countries. According to Yassin, “the era of monopolizing the Nile’s waters is over,” and Egyptian leadership must acknowledge shared interests with Nile Basin nations, particularly Ethiopia.