Rebirth of Tension between Ethiopia and Egypt: A Case of Water Projects on Nile River in Ethiopia

Abstract

Egypt has depended upon the waters of the Nile from times of antiquity. However, in spite of Egypt's hegemony over the Nile waters, upstream states are increasingly challenging Egypt's monopoly. Beginning near the end of colonialism in Africa, Nile basin states have been slowly but surely mounting a challenge to Egyptian domination over the Nile. Accordingly, in recent time the in general upstream countries specially Ethiopia has not only been claiming the right to use of Nile River but also have already been launching huge projects like Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile River. However, Egypt has been discomforted with the projects that have been started in Ethiopia on the ground that it totally prejudices the interest of Egypt. On the other hand, Ethiopians have been claiming that we have the right to use Nile waters as long as it not affects the interest of downstream countries. Indeed there is cold war between two countries today. The aim of this article is to digs out different problems and the historical events that show tension between Ethiopia and Egypt on the Nile River. The paper will discuss institutional and legal frameworks in the management of Nile basin watercourse. More importantly the article explores recent phenomenon attracting the attention of downstream countries as well as World Bank towards projects on Nile River in Ethiopia. In addition, the article deals with issue of how to use and share waters among countries without prejudicing the interest of other countries as well as to what extent they can use in relation with the interest of the other countries. The article also examines, and evaluates recent increased tension between both countries. At last, the article forwards direction of consensus in the Nile basin.