https://www.google.com.et/?gws_rd=cr
Upstream countries still believe that a win-win solution is
possible on Nile issues. Egypt’s position is that upper stream countries should
respect the 1929 water use treaty that entitles the country to use the water
from Nile with Sudan.
Ethiopia did not sign the 1929 pact but still believe that the
downstream countries should have access to Nile water. The current interest of
Ethiopia is to use the water from Blue Nile/Abay for its development purpose
without affecting the water security issue of Egypt and Sudan. The interest of
other upstream countries is not also different from Ethiopia. Museveni of
Uganda, for instance, recently said that no country wants to hurt Egypt and advised
Egypt to promote the same principle.
The plan to construct a dam over Blue Nile and possible plans by other upstream countries must not be seen as a threat. Rather all the
downstream countries should show strong interest in having a win-win
negotiation with the upper stream countries. If the water in Nile is well
developed and used it will be enough for countries in the Nile watershed and
beyond. Through promoting environmental protection/forest development action
silt can be managed and more water
can be generated. If electricity is produced people dependency in wood biomass
will reduce that minimize deforestation in the upper stream countries.
Collaboration in among the Nile basin
countries can also lead to efficient utilization of resources that leads to
poverty reduction as well as in building trust and ensuring peaceful
co-existence.
Let leaders of all nations avoid scarcity mentality, sit for
win-win negotiation, and work for mutual development.
Tesfaye
