Writes Leo Odera Omolo
EGYPTIANS who visited the Kenyan capital, Nairobi at the weekend were expected to begin lobbying countries afresh to reconsider their ratification of an agreement that gives upper Nile states leeway in using the Nile’s waters.
The Nile Basin Convention Frameworks Agreement {CFA} that six countries signed in Entebbe in May 2010 was expected to dominate the agenda of the Inter-Ministerial meeting scheduled for last weekending on January 28.
Ethiopia, Burundi, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda signed the CFA effectively making it operative even though Sudan, DRC Congo and Egypt are yet to ratify it.
The CFA is currently at the ratification level, but has been delayed because of Egypt’s request for more talks. If ratified, it will repeal the 1929 colonial agreement, ripping Egypt of any legal protection over the resource.
A representative of Ugandan government Dr.Callist Tindimagaya was quoted by the media last week as saying,” We shall go to the meeting with an open mind and give them the opportunity to present their point of view. But once you have signed, international laws prohibit you from withdrawing your signature or work against it.”
However, Egypt is optimistic that the Nairobi meeting will reach a consensus because of its new positive spirit and zeal after the revolution as opposed to feuding over the resource. “Egypt believes that the Nile Ban countries share the same water, same destiny and this is the spirit that we should embrace. Egypt is carrying out discussions with the other Nile Basin countries to move forward,” said Egyptian ambassador to Uganda Sabry M Sabry.
If consensus is reached, the World Bank Trust that manages resources along the Nile will stop mocking any development project on claim of legal basis.
Projects in the pipeline that are of mutual benefits to the region are Regional Interconnection Project that is expected to generate cross border electricity for the benefit of all the countries. The USD385 million projected to complete in 2014is already in progress.
Others are Bujagali {250MW} Ruzizi {145mw}, Lake Kivu Methane Gas {300mw}, Rusumo {80mw}, Isimba {140mw} and Karuma {700mw}.
ends