Nile Basin Initiative

The Basin of the Nile River
Map of River Nile

The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) is a partnership among the Nile riparian states that “seeks to develop the river in a cooperative manner, share substantial socioeconomic benefits, and promote regional peace and security”.[1] The NBI began with a dialogue among the riparian states that resulted in a shared vision objective “to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development through the equitable utilization of, and benefit from, the common Nile Basin water resources."[1][2] It was formally launched in February 1999[2] by the water ministers of nine countries that share the river: Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), as well as Eritrea as an observer. From its beginning the Nile Basin Initiative has been supported by the World Bank and by other external partners. The World Bank has a mandate to support the work of the NBI, as lead development partner and as administrator of the multi-donor Nile Basin Trust Fund.[3] One of the partners is the "Nile Basin Discourse", which describes itself as "a civil society network of organisations seeking to achieve positive influence over the development of projects and programmes under the Nile Basin Initiative".[4]

In May 2010, five upstream states signed a Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) to seek more water from the River Nile and establish water sharing rights between the NBI states — a move strongly opposed by Egypt and Sudan.[5] Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania were original signatories with Burundi signing in February 2011. The agreement was subsequently ratified by Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi between 2013 and 2023, with South Sudan ratifying the CFA on 8 July 2024.[6][7] The DRC abstained, while Egypt and Sudan refused to sign on after decrying the CFA as an attempt to diminish their shares of Nile water. Despite these objections, the CFA officially became legally binding over the NBI states on 13 October 2024.[8]

  1. ^ a b A, Haileslassie; Fitsum, Hagos; Everisto, Mapedza; W, Sadoff, Claudia; Bekele, Awulachew, Seleshi; S, Gebreselassie; D, Peden (2009-02-05). Institutional settings and livelihood strategies in the Blue Nile Basin: implications for upstream/downstream linkages. IWMI. p. 64. ISBN 978-92-9090-700-8.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Nile Basin Initiative:Background
  3. ^ The World Bank, 2010, pgs. 90-95 "Sustaining water for all in a changing climate: World Bank Group Implementation Progress Report". Retrieved 2011-10-24.
  4. ^ Nile Basin Discourse
  5. ^ "East Africa seeks more Nile water from Egypt". BBC News. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  6. ^ "Cooperative Framework Agreement | Content of the CFA". Nile Basin Initiative. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  7. ^ Musoke, Ronald (12 August 2024). "South Sudan signs Nile Treaty". The Independent. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  8. ^ Muhumuza, Rodney (14 October 2024). "Nile basin nations say water-sharing accord has come into force without Egypt's backing". AP News. Retrieved 17 October 2024.