Water Wars Over Nile River In East Africa – Free PDF Download

• Africa’s longest river, the Nile, has been at the center of a decade-long complex dispute involving several countries in  the continent who are dependent on the river’s waters.
• At the forefront of this dispute however, are Ethiopia and Egypt.
• Later this year, talks are set to begin between the two countries in Washington D.C. on the future of the hydropower  project on the Nile that is at the center of these disputes.

GRAND RENNAISSANCE DAM HYDROPOWER PROJECT

• When completed, the Grand Rennaissance Dam hydropower project being constructed by Ethiopia, will be Africa’s largest.
• Ethiopia began construction of the dam in 2011 on the Blue Nile tributary that runs across one part of the country.
• Egypt has objected to the construction of this dam and in Sudan has found itself caught in the midst of this conflict.
• While the main waterways of the Nile run through Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt,
• Its drainage basin runs through other countries in East Africa, including Ethiopia.

• Due to the importance of the Nile as a necessary water source in the region, observers are concerned that this dispute may  evolve into a full-fledged conflict between the two nations.
• The US has stepped in to mediate.

HOW IT COULD LEAD TO CONFLICT?

• Last year, Ethiopia announced that it planned on generating power using two turbines by December 2020.
• However, Egypt has objected to these plans.
• Egypt proposed a longer timeline for the project because it does not want the water level of the Nile to dramatically drop  as the reservoir fills with water in the initial stages.

• For the past four years, triparty talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have been unable to reach agreements.
• Egypt isn’t alone in its concerns. Sudan is hardly a passive observer caught in the conflict just because of its location.
• It too believes Ethiopia having control over the river through the dam may affect its own water

WHY DOES ETHIOPIA WANT THIS DAM?

• 65% of Ethiopia’s population suffers due to lack of access to electricity.
• Ethiopia believes this dam will generate approximately 6,000 megawatts of electricity when it is done.
• This dam will reduce those shortages and help the country’s manufacturing industry.
• Neighbouring countries like Kenya, Sudan, Eriteria and South Sudan also suffer from electricity shortages.
• If Ethiopia sells electricity to these nations, they may also reap benefits.

WHAT IS THE PRESENT SITUATION?

• While Ethiopia has stated that it does not need Egypt’s permission to fill the dam.
• Egypt on the other hand, wrote to the UN Security Council on May 1, saying the dam would jeopardise food and water  security and livelihoods of ordinary Egyptian citizens.
• In the letter to the UNSC, Egypt also implied that the dam would cause armed conflict between the two countries.
• In the latest developments on this front,
• Egypt announced this past Thursday that it is willing to resume neogtiations with Ethiopia and Sudan  concerning the dam.

Latest Burning Issues | Free PDF

Sharing is caring!