The ten riparian states have come up with the Cooperative Framework Agreement which should be signed and ratified by all the ten states.
But unfortunately, only seven countries have signed it. These include Uganda, Ethiopia, Burundi, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda and South Sudan. Of the seven countries that have signed it, only Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and South Sudan have ratified the agreement. The good news is that only one country is required to ratify so that the agreement comes into force.
Where are Sudan, Egypt and DR Congo? Although Sudan and Egypt delay following their refusal to participate in the Nile Basin Initiatives on an account that they are the superpowers of the Nile, then what is Democratic Republic of the Congo doing? This is sad. This is very sad. DR Congo should both sign and ratify the agreement so that it comes into force.
The Cooperative Framework Agreement applies to the use, development, protection, conservation and management of the Nile River Basin and its resources, and establishes an institutional mechanism for cooperation among the Nile Basin States. This treaty intends to establish principles, rights and obligations to ensure long-term and sustainable development and management of the shared Nile waters. So, the countries in the process of signing and ratification should not think of any present or future harm.
The solutions we go and fetch from the European Union, United Nations and other continental organisations are in African Union. It looks so awkward for one to have his own umbrella but leaves it, goes and lodges under the umbrella of the grandson of his grandfather’s enemy. Was it not in 1960s most of the African countries got independent from the same unions we today seek support from? How far is it that Africans are forgetting?
I hold the view that if we laugh with the descendants of colonialists, we laugh not because we are at peace with them, but because teeth are bones. Europe is a continent just like Africa. The European Union and the African Union are two different unions belonging to two different continents. Why does the African Union underrate its capability as can be evidenced by its silence on various affairs of development in Africa?
With the last year’s Nile Basin Development Forum hosted in Uganda, the major challenges were the slow ratification of Cothe operative Framework Agreement and the sit-back of Egypt and Sudan in all the projects pioneered by countries other than them. This was stressed much by many delegates sent to the forum and fortunately, the Guest of Honour, Prime Minister of Uganda, who was delegated by President Yoweri Museveni on his behalf, read out loud and clear, the message of President Museveni to Egypt in particular.
Museveni, through Prime Minister, said “tell my brother Egypt that the Nile belongs to all of us. No one should ask permission from another. This causes irregularities and such irregularities can hold us back from going forward”. If my ears did not betray me, then I heard the Prime Minister concluding it that “I was told not to add or subtract anything from the message by President Museveni”.
Cold air began filling the hall and delegates broke into murmuring with one another. I felt it myself. I felt the heaviness of that message and its straightforwardness. I was happy with the message because I want this issue of Egypt and Sudan to be solved once and for all. While concluding the forum, every delegate was tasked with an ambassadorial role of advocating for the ratification of the Cooperative Framework Agreement to allow it to come into force. It is not too late for DR Congo to sign and ratify the agreement. Looking forward to the day DR Congo will pick up her pen, sign and ratify the Cooperative Framework Agreement.
Of all the agendas for development, the Nile occupies a bigger portion of the pie chart for development. If its development runs through 11 countries, how many countries are neighbouring these 11 countries? So, it is the whole of Africa which the Nile is going to light up in case of electricity, provide food and job opportunities in case of agriculture, among other benefits of great importance to Africa.
Thanks for reading “Sowing The Seed Of Truth”.