South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Awan Achiek
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) has ratified the Nile basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), a treaty on the equitable sharing of the Nile waters.
South Sudan became the seventh riparian country to sign the agreement on sharing the Nile waters.
In May 2010, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania signed a new treaty on the equitable sharing of the Nile waters despite strong opposition from Egypt and Sudan who have the lion’s share of the river waters.
Oliver Mori Benjamin, Chairperson of Parliamentary Committee for Information and Communication and assembly spokesman said this ratification gives South Sudan power to make use of the river Nile.
“The members of parliament have decided to rectify and endorse this agreement unanimously as a gift to the people of the Republic of South Sudan. How is it a gift? Because through this agreement, South Sudan now is free to embark on its infrastructural development by making use of the river Nile,” Mori told journalists after an ordinary sitting on Monday.
“This being the framework agreement on the Nile Basin Initiative. It is very important that the 11 countries which are members to the Nile Basin Agreement have been waiting for the response of South Sudan to be enlisted as people to rectify and adapt this premier framework agreement,” Mori said.
He said after rectifying this agreement, the country will be embarking on exploration of Rive Nile for the benefit its people.
The Nile Basin Cooperative Framework, which is meant to replace a 1959 accord between Egypt and Sudan that gives them control of more than 90 percent of the water flow.
Sudan and Egypt expressed fears that their water supply would be severely reduced if the seven other Nile users divert the river with domestic irrigation and hydropower projects.
The CFA will enter into force after six countries have ratified or acceded to the document and deposited it with the African Union.
Established in 1999, the NBI serves as a forum through which member states seek to develop the River Nile in a cooperative manner, share substantial socio-economic benefits, and promote regional peace and security.
