The Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) officially comes into force today, marking a pivotal moment in the management and equitable use of the Nile’s waters.
After years of negotiations, six key Nile Basin countries—Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan—have ratified the agreement, heralding a new era of cooperation and shared responsibility.
CFA, commonly referred to as the Entebbe Agreement, seeks to rectify historical imbalances in water distribution by promoting equitable access to the Nile’s resources among all riparian states.
Commenting on the development, Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said;
“This day will be remembered as a historic milestone in our collective efforts to foster genuine cooperation in the Nile Basin. The CFA’s entry into force strengthens our bond as a Nile family and ensures that the management and utilization of our shared water resources benefit all, for the good of all.”
With the CFA now in effect, it paves the way for the establishment of the Nile River Basin Commission, a body that will oversee joint water management and encourage sustainable development in the region.
The agreement directly challenges long-standing claims by Egypt and Sudan to their historic rights over the Nile’s waters, calling instead for fair and reasonable utilization for all countries within the basin.
Ethiopian officials have praised the enactment of the CFA, stressing that the accord will foster regional collaboration and contribute to sustainable water management.
