The Protection of the Nile and its Riparian
Friday, October 24, 2014
Thursday, October 23, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Countries warn of risk of war as new Nile treaty delays | NTV
Countries that share the Nile waters on Monday warned that the region could go to war unless a new treaty on the use of the Nile waters is drawn up.
Nile Basin countries have increased pressure on Egypt to get back to the negotiating table. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
By AGGREY MUTAMBO | Africa Review
Countries that share the Nile waters on Monday warned that the region could go to war unless a new treaty on the use of the Nile waters is drawn up.
Nile Basin countries have increased pressure on Egypt to get back to the negotiating table for discussions on how the waters of the world’s longest river can be used.
On Monday, participants gathered at Nairobi’s InterContinental Hotel for the Fourth Nile Basin Development Forum warned the region might face conflicts over water in future if a new agreement is not reached.
“We are hoping that cooperation around the Nile is going to increase security and stability. The key words are equitable and responsible use of the Nile resources.
“That is the only way we can do this peacefully. Otherwise if we don’t do it, we are going to be at war because of water,” Prof Judi Wakhungu, the Environment, Water and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary said.
The Nile Basin includes 11 countries that either use or are the source of much of the river water. They are Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Egypt, Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Together, they created the Nile Basin Initiative in 1999 to start negotiations for a treaty that would lead to an “all-inclusive” use of the river. Eritrea participates in the NBI as an observer.
Biggest share
Although the NBI was supposed to help reach the comprehensive framework agreement (CFA) that would guide proper use of the waters, the riparian states are concerned that Egypt is no longer willing to take part in negotiations.
Egypt and Sudan have traditionally taken the biggest share of the Nile even though they have the least percentage share of contribution to its waters. This is because of two treaties signed in 1929 and in 1958 when most of the riparian states except Ethiopia were colonies of Britain, Belgium and France.
“We the emerging countries have said we do not recognise the 1929 and 1954 agreements because that prevented us from using the Nile water resources.
“We can argue that we as Kenyans can do anything we want with the water, but we have to work cooperatively with our partners and we are confident that this is the best way,” Prof Wakhungu said.
About 25 dams are either under construction or have been planned by riparian states along the Nile.
Egypt was represented at Monday’s forum by its ambassador to Nairobi, Mr Kadri Abdel-Motelib.
The CFA opened for signing in 2010 has only been ratified by two countries; Rwanda and Ethiopia. Kenya says it will ratify the agreement before the end of the year.
“It happens that all the 10 countries of the Nile Basin are in, except Egypt. That is why we need Egypt so we have one Nile Basin. The vision is clear that we have to use equitably and wisely, the water resources that we have. In these times, all of us have to benefit from the Basin,” Sudan’s Electricity minister Mutaz Abdalla Salim told reporters.
He is the chairperson of the Nile Council of Ministers.
“We are in the process of correcting the whole thing together, and we are in good engagements to try and bring in Egypt and all other countries.”
Six ratifications will be enough to bring the CFA into effect, but Egypt has not signed the agreement.
Monday, August 11, 2014
El-Sisi: Army did not participate in operations beyond Egypt's borders - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online
El-Sisi: Army did not participate in operations beyond Egypt's borders - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online: "El-Sisi: Army did not participate in operations beyond Egypt's borders
President El-Sisi denies foreign media reports that Egyptian armed forces units were deployed to Saudi Arabia, Libya; insists that parliamentary elections will be held on time
Ahram Online , Sunday 10 Aug 2014
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Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivers a speech, during the anniversary of the 1952 Egyptian revolution, at the presidential palace in Cairo, July 23, 2014 (Photo: Handout provided by The Egyptian Presidency)
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The Egyptian army has not participated in any strikes or operations beyond Egypt's borders, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told a group of Egyptian journalists and TV show hosts Saturday.
Denying all reports in the foreign media claiming that there were Egyptian armed forces units in Saudi Arabia or Libya, El-Sisi said the responsibility of the Egyptian armed forces was to defend Egypt's national security. "Our calculations are always connected to our national security," he said during the meeting held at the presidential palace.
The president tackled several points, including relations with Ethiopia, the upcoming parliamentary elections, as well as the electricity crisis in the country.
Relations with Ethiopia
"Egypt and its people support Ethiopia and its development projects, if in return those projects won't harm Egypt's interest," El-Sisi said, referencing the Grand Renaissance Dam crisis.
Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are due to have another round of talks regarding the Grand Renaissance Dam and its impact on the Egypt and Sudan in Khartoum 26 August.
Parliamentary elections
"I will do everything in order to have parliamentary elections on time," El-Sisi told his audience, insisting there will be no delays in the vote.
"The upcoming parliament will have a huge role and more powers according to the constitution, and neither the presidency nor the president will interfere in its work," El-Sisi said, adding that he hoped the youth would participate widely and have a large role in the vote.
It is expected that parliamentary elections will be held by the end of the year.
Muslim Brotherhood
Concerning political reconciliation in Egypt, President El-Sisi said it has been on the table since the 4 July declaration after the 30 June protests.
"We did not kill anyone, while the other party and its religious leaderships were looking to clash with the public. If they agreed on reconciliation and decided to participate in the roadmap, then there would have been no problems," El-Sisi said in reference to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Former president Mohamed Morsi was ousted 3 July 2013 amid mass popular protest against Muslim Brotherhood rule. The Brotherhood was designated a terrorist group in December while as its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, which won a majority in the first parliamentary elections after the January 25 Revolution, was dissolved Saturday.
"
'via Blog this'
President El-Sisi denies foreign media reports that Egyptian armed forces units were deployed to Saudi Arabia, Libya; insists that parliamentary elections will be held on time
Ahram Online , Sunday 10 Aug 2014
Print Send
Views:1276
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi delivers a speech, during the anniversary of the 1952 Egyptian revolution, at the presidential palace in Cairo, July 23, 2014 (Photo: Handout provided by The Egyptian Presidency)
Related
Egypt's El-Sisi on first official visit to Saudi Arabia
El-Sisi makes visit to Suez digging site
Egypt's foreign minister donates part of salary to El-Sisi's fund
The Egyptian army has not participated in any strikes or operations beyond Egypt's borders, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi told a group of Egyptian journalists and TV show hosts Saturday.
Denying all reports in the foreign media claiming that there were Egyptian armed forces units in Saudi Arabia or Libya, El-Sisi said the responsibility of the Egyptian armed forces was to defend Egypt's national security. "Our calculations are always connected to our national security," he said during the meeting held at the presidential palace.
The president tackled several points, including relations with Ethiopia, the upcoming parliamentary elections, as well as the electricity crisis in the country.
Relations with Ethiopia
"Egypt and its people support Ethiopia and its development projects, if in return those projects won't harm Egypt's interest," El-Sisi said, referencing the Grand Renaissance Dam crisis.
Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are due to have another round of talks regarding the Grand Renaissance Dam and its impact on the Egypt and Sudan in Khartoum 26 August.
Parliamentary elections
"I will do everything in order to have parliamentary elections on time," El-Sisi told his audience, insisting there will be no delays in the vote.
"The upcoming parliament will have a huge role and more powers according to the constitution, and neither the presidency nor the president will interfere in its work," El-Sisi said, adding that he hoped the youth would participate widely and have a large role in the vote.
It is expected that parliamentary elections will be held by the end of the year.
Muslim Brotherhood
Concerning political reconciliation in Egypt, President El-Sisi said it has been on the table since the 4 July declaration after the 30 June protests.
"We did not kill anyone, while the other party and its religious leaderships were looking to clash with the public. If they agreed on reconciliation and decided to participate in the roadmap, then there would have been no problems," El-Sisi said in reference to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Former president Mohamed Morsi was ousted 3 July 2013 amid mass popular protest against Muslim Brotherhood rule. The Brotherhood was designated a terrorist group in December while as its political arm, the Freedom and Justice Party, which won a majority in the first parliamentary elections after the January 25 Revolution, was dissolved Saturday.
"
'via Blog this'
Thursday, June 5, 2014
Ethiopia to approve Djibouti water agreement | Africa | Worldbulletin News
The deal will allow Djibouti to receive over 100,000 cubic meters of water daily from Ethiopia.
World Bulletin / News Desk
Ethiopia's parliament this month is expected to approve a bilateral agreement calling for the development and transfer of groundwater from eastern Ethiopia to Djibouti.
"The agreement has been referred to a pertinent parliamentary committee, which is expected to approve it within the coming 20 days or so," Parliament Information Officer Namssy Alka told Anadolu Agency on Wednesday.
Namssy said the agreement had been signed between Ethiopia and Djibouti in 2013.
"However, it has not yet been endorsed by parliament," he added.
The deal will allow Djibouti to receive over 100,000 cubic meters of water daily from Ethiopia.
Under the agreement's terms, Djibouti will install a 70km-long pipeline from the proposed project area with which to import water from Ethiopia.
Dijbouti plans to export its surplus water to Kuwait.
Last April, a Swiss water company and a Kuwaiti delegation held talks with Ethiopian officials on potential water development and transfer schemes.
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