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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