Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement Officially Takes Effect, Aiming for Equitable Water Sharing

Addis Ababa: The Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), a pivotal legal framework aimed at equitable and sustainable management of Nile waters among riparian countries, has officially come into force, announced Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa. The agreement seeks to enhance cooperation and ensure fair water distribution, addressing longstanding disparities in the utilization of Nile resources.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, Minister Habtamu Itefa expressed his congratulations to the people of Ethiopia and to the governments and peoples of the Nile Basin countries on this historic accomplishment. The CFA’s implementation signals the start of the Nile River Basin Commission, which will oversee the river’s management and protection to benefit all member nations. Habtamu highlighted the commission as a cornerstone of regional cooperation.

The minister elaborated that the CFA provides a unified legal framework confirming the rights of all basin countries to use Nile waters
equally and fairly. It aims to rectify existing imbalances and ensures that all countries benefit from the river without infringing on the rights of others. The agreement also emphasizes sustainable development and the protection of the Nile and its environment for future generations.

Habtamu urged all Nile basin countries to join and faithfully implement the agreement’s principles, emphasizing collaboration for a future where the Nile serves as a beacon of hope and prosperity. He also expressed gratitude towards the international community for their support and called for strengthened partnerships moving forward.