Addis Ababa: The Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) represents the hope of all countries, where each of them will grow and prosper together without violating the rights of others, Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa remarked.

The Minister announced in a statement that the Nile River Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) has officially entered into force as of today.

He congratulated the people of Ethiopia, governments and people of Nile Basin countries for this historic and successful achievement.

The implementation of the Nile Cooperation Agreement will enable the establishment of the Nile River Basin Commission which will be responsible for managing and protecting the Nile River for the benefit of all and serving as the cornerstone of the cooperation, he explained.

Habtamu further underscored that CFA is a common legal framework for the riparian countries, a testimony of their common commitment to use the Nile River for the benefit of all, and an agreement that confirms
the right to use the water resources equally and fairly.

He noted that the agreement will rectify the existing inequities in the utilization of Nile waters by ensuring the shared resources of all the Nile countries.

The agreement will recognize the legal rights of all the Nile basin countries and make them subject to the fair distribution and sustainable use of the water, the Minister stressed.

He also pointed out that CFA represents the hope of all countries, where each country will grow and prosper together without violating the rights of others.

Noting that sustainable development is the focal point of the agreement, Habtamu explained that it also advocates use of Nile’s water resources not only for today but also for the generations to come.

According to him, the agreement obliges all to protect the Nile and its environment, to use the water in a way that does not harm the future users.

Urging all basin countries to join the agreement and faithfully implement its principles, Ethiopia’s Minister said
‘ Let’s work together to build a future where the Nile will be a source of hope, where we can alleviate challenges together and create a better world for ourselves and future generations.’

Finally, he extended gratitude to the international community for their cooperation in this journey and requested to further strengthen their partnership in the journey to a new phase of cooperation.

Source: Ethiopian News Agency