Professor Yacob Arsano Criticizes Egypt’s Nile Position as Contrary to AU Principles

Addis Ababa — Egypt’s position on the Abay (Nile) River contravenes core African Union principles regarding consultation, cooperation, and equitable use of transboundary water resources, according to Professor Yacob Arsano of Political Science and International Relations.

Professor Yacob, who has extensive expertise in Nile Basin water politics and served on Ethiopia’s negotiating team during the GERD tripartite talks, offered this assessment.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, he noted that Egypt repeatedly adopts a stance that fails to give sufficient priority to consultation, cooperation, and fair allocation of the Nile’s waters.

He characterised Egypt’s assertion of being the river’s sole proprietor and beneficiary as unfounded, arguing that such a claim hinders joint development and sustainable management of the Abay.

The professor also dismissed calls for external mediation in Nile disputes, stating that third‑party involvement undermines the AU’s ‘African solutions to African problems’ doctrine.

He added that prevailing narratives and propaganda about the Nile issue must be understood against the backdrop of Egypt’s long‑standing stance on the river.

Highlighting that over 86 % of the Abay’s flow originates in Ethiopia, Professor Yacob stressed that Ethiopia’s water diplomacy rests on joint development, equitable utilization, and cooperation among all Nile Basin nations.

He further emphasized that Egypt’s objections and opposition cannot impede Ethiopia’s right to use its water resources for national development.

According to Professor Yacob, the GERD’s construction, filling, and operation comply with applicable international principles and agreements.

Ethiopia has consistently maintained that the dam will not inflict significant harm on downstream countries.

He observed that Ethiopia is still in the early phases of harnessing its water resources and retains the sovereign right to pursue additional water‑development projects in the Nile Basin beyond the GERD.

“Ethiopia does not require anyone’s permission to develop its water resources,” he said, while reiterating the country’s commitment to cooperative engagement.

Nevertheless, Professor Yacob cautioned that Ethiopia’s stance on utilizing its waters should not be construed as a rejection of cooperation with downstream states.

“Ethiopia’s door remains open to cooperation,” he affirmed.

He also underscored the necessity of dialogue, mutual understanding, and equitable use of the Nile waters.

He said sustainable management of the Abay calls for all basin states to abandon unilateral positions and work toward a cooperative framework that recognises the interests and development needs of every Nile Basin country.

Source link