The Nile: From mistrust and sabre rattling to rapprochement

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of the recent unprecedented dynamism in the hydropolitics of the Nile Basin.

The purpose of this paper is to examine the implications of the recent unprecedented dynamism in the hydropolitics of the Nile Basin for future basin-wide conflict prevention, resolution, management and  cooperation. To this end, the paper first discusses why the Nile waters are a major source of conflict in the Nile Basin, and, then it highlights the past and present bilateral and multilateral attempts at conflict management within the basin and their impact on upstream–downstream relations. It argues that it is imperative to first give priority to the most contentious areas of the Nile Basin by capitalising on the current opportunities presented by Egypt’s gesture of goodwill, to bring about effective basin-wide cooperation.

About the author

Kidan Kiros Bitsue is a lecturer at the Centre for Federal Studies, College of Law and Governance Studies, Addis Ababa University, and a PhD candidate at the Centre for Environment, Water and Development; College of Development Studies.