Public Lecture on the Nile Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) Given
The issue of the Nile River and Great Renaissance Dam has become one of the most important discussion points not only in our country but also in others. Considering the importance of the issue the Ethiopian Civil Service University Institute of Federalism and Legal Studies organized a public lecture entitled "The Nile cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA): Background, Negotiation Process, Current Status as well as Reflection on Ethiopia's Great Renaissance Dam."
Mr. Zenebe Kebede, Director General for International Legal Affairs, FDRE Ministry of Foreign Affairs delivered the lecture, which is open to the university community. The public lecture took place On Thursday 18th may 2012 in the University Abai Hall.
Dr. Mohammed Abdulahi, Deputy Director of the School of Diplomacy and International Relation at the ECSU said
" the purpose of the lecture is an exchange of ideas and current situation on the Nile cooperative framework Agreement as well as related topics."
Besides, the lecture aimed at creating awareness and knowledge about the agreement. Further it provided an opportunity to discuss the issue of the Nile River in depth, said Dr. Mohammed.
Mr. Zenebe's public lecture began by providing an overview of the background of Cooperative Framework Agreement. Mr. Zenebe noted that Nile River, traversing across the ten countries, is a common resource under the international law. He briefly talked about the historical and political background of the Nile. He also highlighted the Nile water Agreement of the 1929. The Exchange of Notes between Great Britain (acting for Sudan and her East African dependencies) and Egypt in regard to the use of the waters of the Nile for irrigation purposes dealt with in this agreement.
He said that
" the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) was established in 1999 in Dareselam and it is a first of its kind by bringing the ten riparian countries on boarded. It maintained the principle of 'equitable utilization' and 'no appreciable harm'."
The Presenter then went on to explain the major contentious issue during the negotiation process: Use of Terms, Prior notification of planned measures, and the status of the Existing agreements. The presenter also took time to reflect upon the current status of CFA and position of the Basin states. According to his presentation the CFA agreement has so far been signed by six Nile basin countries (Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda).
Finally, he noted that the upper riparian countries do not intend to harm the lower riparian countries as well as the dam would not affect any interest of the downstream countries. He also said following the January popular revolution in Egypt there have been attempts to strengthen the relation between Ethiopia and Egypt, which is the most welcomed.
The floor was then opened for suggestions, comments and questions. The major questions raised include:As Sudan and especially Egypt have long claimed historic rights to the water of the Nile River, So what is the international community's reaction on it? As only the six Nile basin countries ratified the agreement, what will be the political influence? What are the reasons for Sudan for not ratifying the CFA? Mr. Zenebe answered the questions raised by the participants.