Professor Arsano: Egypt Nile Stance Violates African Union Principles

• Professor Yacob Arsano states Egypt's stance on the Nile River violates fundamental African Union principles of consultation, cooperation, and equitable utilization.
• He argues Egypt's claim of sole ownership is unjustified and obstructs joint development, while Ethiopia's water diplomacy prioritizes equitable utilization and cooperation.
• Ethiopia asserts its sovereign right to develop its water resources, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which it maintains adheres to international principles and causes no significant harm.
• Professor Arsano rejects third-party mediation, advocating for "African solutions to African problems" and emphasizing Ethiopia's continued commitment to cooperation.
• He calls for all Nile Basin countries to abandon unilateral positions and work towards a cooperative framework for sustainable and equitable water management.

For the sustainable management of the Abay River, Professor Arsano stresses the imperative for all basin countries to transition away from unilateral positions.

Professor Yacob Arsano, a distinguished expert in Political Science and International Relations with extensive research experience in water politics and Nile Basin affairs, has asserted that Egypt's approach to the Nile River (also known as Abay) fundamentally contravenes established African Union principles. Professor Arsano, who previously served on Ethiopia's negotiating team during the tripartite discussions concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), highlights specific AU tenets related to consultation, cooperation, and the equitable utilization of transboundary water resources.

According to Professor Arsano, Egypt has consistently adopted a position that fails to adequately prioritize these crucial principles. He characterizes Egypt's claim to be the sole owner and beneficiary of the Abay as unjustified, arguing that such a stance creates a significant impediment to the joint development and sustainable management of the river's resources. This perspective frames the ongoing Egypt Ethiopia water dispute not merely as a technical disagreement but as a challenge to foundational regional agreements on shared resources.

Ethiopia's water diplomacy, as articulated by Professor Arsano, is firmly rooted in principles of joint development, equitable utilization, and cooperation among all Nile Basin countries. He underscores a critical geographical fact: over 86 percent of the Nile's waters originate within Ethiopia. Despite this, Ethiopia is still in the nascent stages of developing its water resources and maintains a sovereign right to undertake additional water development projects within the Nile Basin, extending beyond the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Professor Arsano affirms that the construction, filling, and management of the GERD have been executed in strict accordance with relevant international principles and agreements. Ethiopia has consistently maintained that this monumental project is designed not to cause significant harm to downstream nations. He further emphasizes that any objections or opposition from Egypt cannot legitimately prevent Ethiopia from utilizing its own water resources for its national development objectives.

A key aspect of Professor Arsano's analysis involves a strong rejection of calls for third-party mediation in the ongoing Nile disputes. He contends that such external interventions undermine the African Union's core principle of "African solutions to African problems," advocating instead for regional mechanisms to resolve internal continental issues. He suggests that prevailing narratives and propaganda surrounding the Nile issue should be understood within the broader context of Egypt's longstanding historical position on the river.

While asserting Ethiopia's inherent right to develop its water resources, Professor Arsano is careful to clarify that this stance should not be misconstrued as an opposition to cooperation with downstream countries. He explicitly states that Ethiopia remains deeply committed to collaborative efforts, emphasizing that its "door is always open to cooperation" with its neighbors in the Nile Basin.

For the sustainable management of the Abay River, Professor Arsano stresses the imperative for all basin countries to transition away from unilateral positions. He advocates for a shift towards a comprehensive cooperative framework that genuinely acknowledges and respects the diverse interests and developmental needs of every state within the Nile Basin.

This vision for the future emphasizes the critical importance of sustained dialogue, mutual understanding, and the equitable utilization of the Nile waters. By fostering such an environment, the region can move towards a shared prosperity that benefits all riparian nations, rather than perpetuating historical claims that hinder collective progress.

This analysis of Egypt's Nile stance through the lens of AU principles offers legal professionals insights into the ongoing international water law dispute. It is relevant for advising clients on transboundary resource management, regional cooperation frameworks, and assessing geopolitical risks impacting infrastructure projects like the GERD.

Source: Original reporting via ENA