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Unnecessary conflict over Nile River
Mobhare Matinyi
Mobhare Matinyi, The Citizen
Immediately after independence in 1961, the then Tanganyika raised concerns about the unfair colonial-era treaty the British had signed with the Egyptians in 1929 over the waters of the longest river in the world, the Nile.
As we speak today those misgivings have never disappeared since Egypt has been playing a cat-and-mouse game all along even signaling military action. The problem with the 1929 agreement is simple: Egypt has veto power over the control of the waters that run through nine countries.
Now, the seven countries upstream want to be able to implement irrigation and hydropower projects in consultation with Egypt and Sudan, without Egypt’s exercising the veto power it was granted in 1929.
Last Friday, in Entebbe, four countries, that is, the host Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Ethiopia, signed a new agreement to replace another unjust agreement signed in 1959 by Egypt and Sudan. Kenya later signed the agreement, while Burundi and the Democratic of the Congo didn’t show up. Egypt views the signing as a unilateral action.
The 1959 agreement between Egypt and Sudan following Sudan’s independence in 1956, warranted 55.5 billion cubic metres of the Nile waters to Egypt, and 18.5 billion to Sudan, a combined total of 87 percent of the Nile flow.
The two “Arab countries,” as they would prefer to be called, had no obstacle in 1959, since six Nile countries were still under colonial rule, and Ethiopia had no power to challenge them with their master, Britain, watching. A quick assumption was made: The “Africans” have other sources of water.
Coincidentally, Britain happened to be the colonial master of Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Egypt. Furthermore, since Egypt owns the Suez Canal, which is the only gateway between Europe and Asia, the country became extremely important to Europe even before striking another deal with the United States in 1978 to ensure the safety of Israel.
Since then, Egyptians have been arrogant, to say the least, thinking that they, Arabs, are better than the Africans, and even making childish claims such as “historical rights” over the Nile River waters.
In 1980, the then Egyptian President Anwar Sadat characterised Ethiopian opposition to Cairo’s project to divert Nile waters to one desert area as an “act of war.” Ethiopia bowed down and Egypt remained big-headed.
However, in 2004, Tanzania said enough was enough. The government hired a Chinese company to pull Lake Victoria waters to the arid areas in Shinyanga and Kahama. Why should our people suffer while a massive lake sits before us?
Lake Victoria is sensitive because it is the mother of the Nile River. The lake is fed by several small rivers flowing from the mountainous areas covering the DRC, Burundi and Rwanda, which form Kagera River in Tanzania and then deep into Lake Victoria. Kenya is source of Mara River, which feeds Lake Victoria through Tanzania.
As of today, Egypt is still uttering very provocative words such as: “Egypt only has water coming from the river. The Africans have it from the rains,” which a television station, French 24, extracted from the mouth one Egyptian diplomat.
Interestingly, the French news agency, Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Monday quoted another Western European diplomat saying: “Egyptians are behaving with the Africans the way they accuse Israel of behaving with the Palestinians; they say they are ready to negotiate but without committing to the difficult issues.”
The four countries which signed a new agreement on Friday each have a unique situation. Tanzania, the home of the half of the second largest freshwater lake in the world, Lake Victoria, is adamantly pursuing a project to supply her people with water.
Ethiopia, which happens to be the source of the Blue Nile but constantly facing drought, is bitter with the drama for a while now and has already started building a dam with financial aid from Italy. Uganda, known in history as the source of the Nile River wants more than the 1954 Owen Falls Dam off the Nile River.
Rwanda, despite a psychological appetite for conflicts whenever an opportunity arises, has a point in the whole saga. Why should one country bulldoze everyone? We hope the DRC and Burundi will soon add weight to the new agreement.
The river is 6,700 kilometers long serving more than 160 million people who inhabit 10 percent of the African continent landmass. No doubt that the Nile River is very sensitive but nobody now seems to care about the old saying: The Nile is Egypt and Egypt is the Nile.
The diplomatic war has just started. Let’s hope that a war will not break out.
MM
May 22, 2010 at 7:20 am
Egyptians are known in the Arab World to be selfish, arrogant, stubborn. They only hear their voice and don’t care what the others think. They always claim that they are the first in everything, be it sport, finance, armies, etc. It is ridiculous to have such behavior.
The Nile river is God’s gift to all mankind; it makes no sense at all to keep it for one country and let the other starve. I hope by now, Egyptians have learned the lesson.
It is difficult to deal with such country. However, any leader should protect his people, Ethiopians have a great leader and this can happen only once in a lifetime.
Don’t miss this great opportunity to rebalance the distribution of the Nile wealth.
Final point, I don’t think it is an issue of Africans vs. Arabs. Egyptians think they originate from Pharaoh and therefore, they don’t think they are Arabs. Although, I clearly think they are fooling again themselves.
Best,
Egyptian girl
May 23, 2010 at 4:12 pm
i agree that the nile is a god given gift and should be used fairly by all the countries its passes by
and i deffinetly think some ammendments are in order but again u shld think of the fact that projects like so may block the river from egypt n sudan!
its the only source of fresh water in egypt and if u block it so much damage will happen!
and egyptians think that they are arabs! they are JUST arabs! and muslims
City
May 24, 2010 at 2:57 am
Good job ethiopia.
judy saifu
May 24, 2010 at 5:42 pm
What are u talking about ethiopia is the source of the nile 85% of the water
comes from Ethiopia 15% from the white nile, go back and read history
while the people of Ethiopia are starving Egypt want to strive Ethiopia
have to have the veto power since it is supplying the majority. Since the
1300 Egypt was trying to oppress ethiopia by religion, since that failed that now ethiopia have her own patriarc . Ethiopia have never been colonized
and like the author said Ethiopia will never bow down that is not the History
ethiopia. Egyptian arrogance and intimidation is not going to work. God
Bless Ethiopia, Which is Christian Island surround by Moslems Ethiopia Have coexisted with moslems for centuaries will continue to do so as long
as everyone knows sthe History of Ethiopia
midhega
June 23, 2010 at 1:21 pm
I think that Nile is a river and river is a natural water resource that every one with natural access should use as fairly as possible. Unfortunately this is not realized and conflict arrived. it is really nice for all concerned body to prepare themselves for negotiation to arrive at win-win situation.
But the idea from judy seifu is really awokward and what is far from fact. Ethiopia is nither christian nor Muslim at its early time, but it used to own its own traditional religion. still there are large number of people following this native religion so far. Actually it is true that christianity appear to ethiopian before any other external religions followed by Islamic, catholic, protestant and so on. Therfore by no means ethiopia can be a christian religion country alone. Today the majority of ethiopian people are Muslims though the large number are christians.
judy seifu u better stop ur ugly argument!!! shame on u!
devona
July 16, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Hay Ethiopians!
Ethiopia is a country of christians and muslims as it is a country of many ethnic groups. These are the entry points for our enemies that they use to divide us. Let’s not play into the hands of our enemies and let’s remain united.
Devona
devona
July 16, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Well said mobhare,
DRC and Burundi please sign the agreement for the benefit of Africa and yourself. Nile should unite us the victims of age-long and unfair domination by Egypt. The initiative by no means to deny the rights of Egypt but to claim the god-given fair share of our Nile.
temem
July 20, 2010 at 7:45 am
i very happy by PM Meles Zenawi Interview about nile river this true & fairl
bacuse ethiopia for 40 years Beging in poorness .
God pless ethiopia
Eshetu fite
August 14, 2010 at 2:24 pm
My country was decdid on the Nile base river the correct time for Ethiopian and also for horn of africa
DJ
August 27, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Hey every creature has the right to share what nature and GOD has given it so please be civilized and share fairly what is available as ahuman kind and leave better and united Africa for the next generation.
yoni
November 26, 2010 at 10:46 pm
While ethiopia is the source of 85% of the nile water, how dare egypt say ethiopia has litile share. it is ridiculous.we are not intimidated by your words .As we dont want you to get starved, as our Pm said so ,lets use it together.Besides that,we are chrsitian countriies with long histrory of peaceful coexistence with muslim.God bless Ethiopia.Peace to both ppl.
Abisiniya
December 6, 2010 at 10:04 am
Do u realy want us to Starve…while u swim in it Pharons ??? wt a shame ! and the most foolish ting is zat u still bleive in war…… take care Egypt Abisinya has a great Recored in it…any ways Long live our people ..our PM…and long live only Smart Egyptians..Peace on earth.
marks and fish
December 16, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Well done devona! you said the right thing what is happening in ethiopia and its history. Enemies were searching a hole to enter and divide our lovely country. There is no any witness that proves this realty. Proporly the evidence what I have mentioned above. So Egyptians proposal is the 19th century idea. But we are now 21st. And the motion of Hossinni Mubarek gov’t is leading to the end of Egyptian life. Ethiopia is a country of patriots, refer to history what have done ethiopians to defend their country from collonizers.If Egyptians choose the wrong way, (war) history will repeat it self. war is not African foot ball. Go ahead Ethiopians ……………….
get
February 1, 2011 at 11:23 am
Nile is the gift of GOD&each country is expected to use it fairly.
But this is not being respected.
No one can tell a country which of its resources to use!!!!!!!it’s up to that country to choose.EVERY COUNTRY IS A SOVEREIGN.
what principle justify that while a country is contributing 85% to get 1%& while the other contributing 0% to get 76%???????????
how a contract agreed between 2 parties bind non signatories??????
can we invoke the thinking of 18centurywhile we are living in the 21century??
ANY WAY PLEAS LET’S THINK RATIONALLY.
Antu
February 7, 2011 at 3:59 pm
No matter what happen, ethiopia has to get it’s share from the river. and Egypt has to dessolute her view and agree on it otherwise practically Egypt will be the victem of this conflict. i suggest to all to gather and plan what they have to do on the river and how to share it. Egypt has to stop thinking like 1940th and Ethiopia has to think naturally like human being(if the river volume decrease strongly what will be happen to the Egyptian farmers, not Egypt’s poletitain).
Gedeb
April 6, 2011 at 7:22 pm
I am glad to say this. Ethiopia is one of poor countries in world. We also have nothing to offer to super powers like America(usa), Israel, … But still we have God who judge everybody, give power (say for USA), take away it, etc. War is what we dont like specially now but not fear look our history. But hunger that is what we fear as one of founder of African union that is shame for all Africa. We want to be proud of Africa. We want it as before. GOD BLESS AFRICA for ever. And peace to Egptian who are stragiling for living in free Arab country in Africa.
Gedeb
April 6, 2011 at 7:26 pm
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10).
Esku
April 7, 2011 at 6:56 am
we proud to have such a leader that really concern about his people n country.we have a good culture of sharing our gifts with neighbor so no need of war with Egyptians.
tefex
April 8, 2011 at 11:03 am
Well I see problem Egyptian leader anwar sadat thinking of war.Is that possible in 21′ st c.Don’t be arrogant.
lawyer ab
April 12, 2011 at 6:32 am
The lord of the heavens reviled to our PM Meles the great secret of our development and prosperity God bless you and I wanna say be strong and keep your trust in God. there is nothing but the dam will be built in the near future we believe in the almighty God he gave rain even if there is no cloud and wind.
you Egyptians it is our turn to benefit from the Nile river.Things are not as of 16th c
girma
April 15, 2011 at 2:14 pm
This agreement is fair not only for upper source country but also for all black African’s because of that know we are not under the foreign colony. the past colonial treat can’t manege us.
I commented for all Africans and all world counters stand up for fair use of Nile river
genet Kebede
April 16, 2011 at 3:52 am
Beloved Ethiopians let us unite our hands to kill poverty!
yitayal
April 18, 2011 at 8:55 am
hello egyptians.
from the j.seifu’s saying i can understand that you dont know know noting about your african friends.j.s hadent u heard that there are more than 30 million muslims in ethiopia.do you know what this means it means we are among the 15 muslim mostly inhabitant countrys.so;please try to think globaly because if we use it properly the water is enough for all of us.god bless etthiopia.
Kote ibrahim
May 1, 2011 at 7:13 pm
I must appriciate the Egyptian team with new thinking for theire dedication and determination to discusse with My countery leaders on the issue of Nile wise use vravo! Egypt! this is the only way of undrstanding eachother on this kind of issue. I hope there is No war b/n Ethiopia and Egypt! we should not gives our ears to those who dosenot concern with our resource.
the current egypitan team vist to ethiopia is realy sign of one step forward and understanding.
I hope this followed by Ethiopian team vit to cairo very soon.
finaly, as one brother from Egypt team say”we should avoid the negative expration in our any communication.Long live Ethio-Egypt Relation.
add
May 5, 2011 at 6:12 am
I hope it is time to reconsile negative idology .And it is time of new relation ship with Egypt.
yemane
May 5, 2011 at 11:03 pm
great idea
abinet
May 8, 2011 at 3:25 am
egypt’s representatives visited ethiopia to discuss about nile issue which is good. but we should not be so exited this is something they should have done centuries ago. when i saw the video ethiopians singing for them i was so angry because there was nothing happened they were just representing their people who needed the nile water more than anybody in east africa. those people did not come to ethiopia to help they just came for their own benefit. ethiopian prime minister should not be fooled because they appreciated him. we have to focuse more on our own benefit rather than bowing down for egypt just like they have been doing for centuries. i really appreciate the cooperation on this regional issue, but ethiopiaqn government should not be so easy to be conviced by egyptians. since egypt has been trying to buy time on every issue on nile, ethiopian government should be smart enough to set time this negociation should be completed.
Mr.Nice Guy
May 8, 2011 at 11:51 am
We Ethiopians are not trying to starve Egyptians we are just trying to get better of us.if any of you Egyptians are reading this please tell me what you would you if you see all your life nile flowing by and doing nothing to use it,now it is the time to use Nile fairly.That is all our goverment is saying…….some of the commentes above maye be too UN Unnecessary