Summarise the importance of the River Nile for different stakeholders in the different

(calculate the number of countries in the Nile basin) countries. Detail who these
stakeholders are (power) and how they are affected by water conflict in this drainage basin.
Nile Basin: Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, Egypt, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea and Kenya.

Ethiopia:

Ethiopia is building the Grand Renaissance Dam, which when it is completed next year, will be
Africa's biggest hydroelectric power plants. Hydroelectric power stations do not consume water,
but the speed with which Ethiopia fills up the dam's reservoir will affect the flow downstream.
The longer it takes to fill the reservoir, which is going to be bigger than Greater London, the less
impact there will be on the level of the river. The longer it takes to fill the reservoir, which is
going to be bigger than Greater London, the less impact there will be on the level of the river.
Ethiopia says it should no longer be bound by the decades-old treaty and went ahead and started
building its dam at the start of the Arab Spring in March 2011 without consulting Egypt.
Ethiopia has an acute shortage of electricity, with 65% of its population not connected to the
grid. The energy generated will be enough to have its citizens connected and sell the surplus
power to neighboring countries.

Sudan:

For Sudan there is the added advantage that the flow of the river would be regulated by the dam -
meaning it would be the same all-year round. Sudan and Ethiopia were purposefully refusing to
share a study conducted to determine the dam’s effects on downstream countries. Cairo has said
its share of Nile waters would be significantly affected by the dam. Egypt’s support for South
Sudan comes with the understanding that Juba will back Cairo in negotiations over the Nile.

South Sudan:

Egypt has been working to reconcile South Sudanese rival factions, helping the country regain
internal stability and offering massive development support to Juba (South Sudan capital). The
declaration called for an end to disputes between the factions and the return of South Sudanese
citizens displaced by the conflict.

Egypt: At the Centre of the dispute are plans to fill up the mega dam as Egypt fears the project
will allow Ethiopia to control the flow of Africa's longest river. But Egypt has proposed a 10-
year period - this will mean that the level of the river does not dramatically drop, especially in
the initial phase of filling the reservoir. Egypt relies on the Nile for 85% of its water. It has
historically asserted that having a stable flow of the Nile waters is a matter of survival in a
country where water is scarce. A 1929 treaty (and a subsequent one in 1959) gave Egypt and
Sudan rights to nearly all of the Nile waters. The colonial-era document also gave Egypt veto
powers over any projects by upstream countries that would affect its share of the waters.
Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi was quoted as saying in September that it would never
have got under way had Egypt not been distracted by the political turmoil. It could also affect
transport on the Nile in Egypt if the water level is too low and affect the livelihood of farmers
who depend on the water for irrigation.

b. Should the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam be built? Consider the historical issues
facing Ethiopia such as drought and famine as well as its potential to lift itself out of
poverty through improved agriculture as well as significant investment in high technology.
Also, consider the impacts on the Ethiopian people as well as those in their neighbouring
countries.
When completed, the dam will have installed capacity to generate 6000 MW electricity to relieve
Ethiopia’s energy shortage and export to Sudan and possibly Egypt. The dam can store 74 billion
cubic meters of water, about half the volume of the Aswan High Dam in Egypt. The historic
problems and problem and famine can be stopped, as in the dry seasons crops will not be
dependent on irrigation from precipitation, but instead through groundwater as the water table
will be filled due to the stored water.

There is a crisis for power in Ethiopia, this dam has the power to save thousands of lives with the
energy that it provides. On the other hand, though, it decreases the overall velocity of the river
other parts of the river like Egypt. Economically, Ethiopia will benefit but Egypt will not benefit
because there will be a loss in money in terms of tourism. The River Nile acts as a powerhouse
for the Aswan dam, the construction of a new dam will mean that there will be a slower rate of
energy production in Egypt. It is a moral dilemma, but Egypt and Ethiopia need to come to a
decision soon. As of now the dam in Ethiopia is 60% finished.

The River Nile - A Dispute Timeline: 

1929: Nile Water Agreement
 The treaty apportioned all Nile waters to Egypt and Sudan, although Ethiopia and
other upstream countries dispute its legitimacy due to the fact it was drawn up in
the colonial era when most African countries had little say in their own affairs.
 Egypt has veto powers over any water projects.
1959: Nile Waters Agreement between the Sudan and Egypt
 A new water agreement was drafted granting Egypt rights to 55.5 billion cubic
meters of water per year and 18.5 billion cubic meters per year for Sudan. This
allowed for construction of two dams in Sudan and the Aswan High Dam in
Egypt
1999: The Nile Basin Initiative
 Created for the 10 nations excluding Eritrea in order to, develop nile resources in
a sustainable an equitable way. Have efficient water management and optimal use
of resources. Cooperation and joint action seeking win-win gains. Target poverty
eradication and promote economic integration
2010: The Entebbe agreement
 The Treaty intends to establish a framework to "promote integrated management,
sustainable development, and harmonious utilization of the water resources of the
 Basin, as well as their conservation and protection for the benefit of present and
future generations". It was rejected by Sudan and Egypt.
2011: February.  
 The Arab Spring spreads to Egypt and President Hosni Mubarak is overthrown
 The Arab spring was a period of protests, largely influenced by social media.
After weeks of protesting the president finally resigned and control was handed to
the military. Ethiopia decided to wait until this to announce the construction of the
dam as Egypt was in turmoil and unable to start a war with them at this point.
2011: February (1 week later).  
 Ethiopia announce the start of the construction of GERD.  Funded by who?
 Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam; Funded entirely by the Ethiopian government
supposedly.
2017:  GERD due to be completed (is it complete?)
 No, 60% complete at the end of August 2017