By Contributor
October 19, 2024
Two weeks after the Republic of South Sudan deposited its instrument of ratification, the Agreement on the Nile River Basin Framework (CFA) entered into force on October 13, 2024, marking a significant milestone.
The CFA is the first multilaterally negotiated, signed, and ratified legal instrument. Its entry into force, as a significant development, establishes the Nile River Basin Commission, the first ever multilateral institutional framework or river basin organization that could play a significant role in ensuring equitable and reasonable utilization of the Nile River.
Marking this day, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed noted the historic significance of this achievement, stating that “this day will be remembered as a historic milestone in our collective efforts to foster genuine cooperation in the Nile Basin. The CFA’s entry into force strengthens our bond as a Nile family and ensures that the management and utilization of our shared water resources benefit all, for the good of all.”
The Premier congratulated member states for this achievement that demonstrates the dedication of member states to ensure equitable use. Moreover, due to the inclusiveness of this cooperative framework, the Prime Minister further called up on the non-signatory states to join the Nile family.
Indeed, this recent development is a boost to the collective efforts riparian states have made thus far to ensure equitable and reasonable utilization of the river. Member states, along with the transitional institutional arrangement, the Nile Basin Initiative, have cooperated in power generation and interconnection, river basin management, agricultural productivity and watershed management, flood preparedness, and early warning, as well as capacity building to deal with extreme climate conditions.
However, the multifaceted challenges the basin faces require a strong response that a legally recognized entity would help provide. The importance of collective action to deal with the challenges the Nile basin is facing cannot be overstated. The Nile River Basin Commission will have a considerable contribution in helping the basin states deal with the challenges they face. It will correct historic wrongs, ascertain equitable use, and foster mutual understanding as well as shared responsibilities.
The benefits of the entry into force of the agreement go beyond these crucial benefits. As the Nile Basin Initiative’s Secretariat stated, marking the entry into force of the Agreement, “the CFA is not merely a legal agreement—it is a vision for how we can come together to ensure the sustainable and equitable use of the Nile’s resources.”
As a long-time active advocate of equitable and reasonable use through the formation of a legal and institutional framework, Ethiopia applauds this historic achievement. Ethiopia is committed to continuing to play an active role in ensuring the successful operationalization of the Nile River Commission. Ethiopia continues to cooperate with riparian states to achieve this goal. In fact, the achievement of this milestone should not make proponents of equitable and reasonable use lose sight of the demanding tasks ahead.
(MoFA)