Nile River Basin Agreement Takes Effect

The Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) has officially come into effect, facilitating the establishment of the Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC) aimed at promoting equitable management and use of the Nile's resources. Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, emphasized that the CFA is a historic step toward addressing long-standing inequities in Nile water access and usage among the basin countries. Despite the agreement's ratification by several upstream nations, Egypt and Sudan have yet to sign, creating ongoing tensions, particularly surrounding Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The CFA commits Nile Basin countries to sustainable development and cooperation, ensuring that all states benefit from the river. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has urged non-signatory states to join the 'Nile Family' to foster regional collaboration. The agreement represents a significant multilateral effort to create a legal framework for Nile governance, aiming to protect the river's future for generations to come.