A new agreement on sharing the waters of the Nile has come into force, marking what Ethiopia’s prime minister calls “a historic milestone” for the region.
Abiy Ahmed Ali announced that the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) on the Nile River Basin took effect on 13 October 2024.
The CFA aims to ensure “equitable and reasonable utilization” of the Nile’s waters among countries in the river basin.
“This day will be remembered as a historic milestone in our collective efforts to foster genuine cooperation in the Nile Basin,” Mr. Abiy said in a statement.
He added that the agreement would strengthen bonds between Nile countries and ensure water resources are managed for “the good of all.”.
The Ethiopian leader congratulated signatories to the CFA for their “unwavering commitment” and urged non-signatory states to join.
The Nile, the world’s longest river, has been a source of tension between countries that share its waters, particularly Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Egypt has long expressed concerns about upstream dam projects affecting its water supply.
It is not clear which countries have signed the CFA or how it will be implemented.
