By Muhammad Yamany, Wael Naguib
CAIRO (Xinhua) — Some Egyptian experts accused the United States and Israel of raising differences among Nile Basin countries to affect Egypt and Sudan, warning that Nile Basin countries may fight for water in the future.
They referred that Egypt, with a population of about 77 million people, would never give up its historic rights in the Nile water.
There are foreign hands pushing some of Nile Basin countries to amend the 1929 agreement, which organizes the relations among these nations and the proportion of water to each country, so as to put pressure on Egypt and Sudan, said Dr. Abed al-Monem al-Mashet, Director of Search and Studies Center in the prestigious Cairo University.
Al-Mashet told Xinhua late on Wednesday that these hands are Israel, which has some old projects to affect Egypt’s quota in the Nile water especially in Ethiopia, and the United States which has an influence in southern Sudan.
He added that differences among the Nile Basin countries could be normal if there was not an agreement organizing the relations among them signed in 1929 and so no country can change the water quota for each country.
Earlier this week, Egypt’s Minister of Public Works and Water Resources Mahmoud Abdel Halim Abu Zeid said that Egypt is suffering from a serious shortage of water.
“Egypt has already entered the cycle of water poverty,” said Allam.
On the other hand, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Egypt’s need of water is a red line that no one can come across and Nile Basin countries should consult Egypt before carrying out any projects that could affect Egypt’s share of water.
Asked about the outbreak of war due to differences among Nile Basin countries, al-Mashet said that Nile water is a matter of national security to Egypt and in the past Egypt’s former president Mohamed Anwar Sadat threatened to use military power if any of the Nile Basin countries tried to amend the 1929 agreement.
However, al-Mashet said that he does not think it could reach war at the time being as there is no big water projects in the Nile Basin countries, but it would happen in the future.
He called for negotiation in good intentions among the countries, expressing his belief that negotiation needs a summit for presidents instead of water ministers.
Meanwhile, Dr. Eglal Rafat, professor of political science at Cairo University, warned that differences in this issue could lead to war in the future if countries did not reach an agreement about sharing water.
She told Xinhua that Egypt sees that the past agreements about sharing Nile water are legal and the international law is in its side, so it is impossible that Egypt would compromise any of its historical rights as it is already suffering from water poverty.
Egypt reiterated that it would not recognize any agreement or any organization for the Nile basin countries unless it admits clearly the Egyptian rights in Nile water and that Egypt should be consulted before carrying out any project on the Nile which could affect the water quota of Egypt.
Egypt’s water needs will surpass its resources by 2017 because of its population. A recent report by the cabinet’s Information and Decision Support Center said that Egypt would need 86.2 billion cubic meters of water in 2017 while its resources would only be 71.4 billion cubic meters.
Egypt’s water resources stood at 64 billion cubic meters in 2006, of which the River Nile provided 55.5 billion cubic meters, or 86.7 percent, the report said.
Egypt says that the Nile water is enough for every country if these countries concentrated on how to mange and use it.
On Tuesday, Nile Basin countries delayed signing a water-sharing agreement rejected by Egypt and Sudan, which opposed any reduction in their quotas.
“Wars could break out for water in the future unless an agreement is reached on how to share the river’s water,” said Rafat.
By George Ayittey
Next week, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will be visiting 7 African countries in 11 days: Cape Verde Islands, Liberia, Nigeria, Congo DR (Goma, in particular), Kenya, South Africa and Angola. Part of the purpose of the trip is to smooth over ruffled feathers. Recall that Kenyans were miffed over the fact that President Obama skipped his fatherland and visited Ghana instead. And Nigerians felt his trip to Ghana was an insidious plot to destabilize their country. So Hillary is being dispatched to soothe frayed nerves and douse the flames. There are also genuine concerns in the Obama administration about Nigeria’s stability and China’s forays into Africa.
The purpose of our dinner at the State Department was an effort by the Secretary of State, Hillary, to reach out of the bureaucratic cocoon to independent “gurus” and seek alternative viewpoints before her trip to Africa. We were given a set of questions to respond to in order to frame the discussion at the dinner forum and help prepare her for the trip. What she should be looking for, what she should say, how she could be helpful, etc.
The dinner was quite extraordinary. The protocol was stultifying; everything was planned to the minutest detail. Yet the atmosphere was relaxed. There were 26 of us at the dinner table with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the center. Half of the guests were State Dept. operatives — speech writer, policy planner, and a retinue of deputies and assistants — assistant this, assistant that, deputy assistant this, if you know what I mean. The remaining 13 of us where the “experts.” There were only 5 blacks there, including Asst. Sec. of State for Africa, Ambassador Johnnie Carson. I was the only African but, at least, it was a start.
The reason why I was invited was because Brian Phipps, Clinton’s policy planner, had read my book, Africa Unchained, two years ago and said it had “a profound influence” on his thinking about Africa. So I asked him if it would be OK to bring two copies of my book — one for Hillary and the other for Obama. He said who would refuse such a gracious act of generosity.
So I took two copies along. One for Hillary which I autographed as: “I am a big fan of yours. Africans are grateful for your concern for the continent.” Hey, a little fawning adulation never hurt nobody. My students do that to me all the time to get good grades: “I learned a lot from your class,” “You are my greatest teacher,” they often tell me. A quick check of the grades of those praise-singers tell a different story. Rascals.
The other book was for President Obama. I autographed it as: “This wont’ get me a BEER at the White House but we are proud of you as a son of Africa. Don’t mind what the Americans say.”
I hope Obama has a sense of humor but don’t try this with President Musugu Babazonga, President-For-Life of the Coconut Republic of Tonga somewhere in the Gulf of Guinea. He is the author of the “Green Book,” which everybody must read. All other books are banned.
I told the group that there was no need to re-invent the wheel and that the West should deal with Africa the way it dealt with the former Soviet Union. There it didn’t form partnerships with communist regimes and hand over money to them on promises of reform. It helped solidarity movements and established Radio Free Europe. Why not Radio Free Africa? Sec. of State Hillary Clinton said it is a great idea and she likes it.
To the consternation of everyone, I commended Hillary highly and told her I was humbled by her invitation and I wish African governments would reach out and seek alternative viewpoints. Instead, they tossed me into jail, raided my hotel room and even fire-bombed my office in Washington, DC. Hillary was listening attentively.
She is very sharp, witty and a good sport. She is quite warm and open. The dinner lasted for two hours and at the end, I gave her the book and posed for a photo.
(The writer can be reached at [email protected])
Ethiopian People’s Patriotic Front (EPPF) International Committee’s head of Organizational Affairs Ato Sileshi Tilahun interviews leaders and fighters of the Front. Watch the video below.
Reminder: EPPF high-level officials will hold a town hall meeting in Washington DC on Sunday, August 9 at 2:30 PM. Place: Unification Church, 1610 Columbia Road NW, Washington DC.
A special event celebrating “The Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church Day” was held on Saturday and Sunday (Aug. 1 and 2) in Washington DC.
The event was organized by Ethiopian churches in the Washington DC Metro Area. Some 1,500 people attended the two-day celebration, which included a discussion on the history of Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
“The highlight of the event was to see the initiative young Ethiopian Americans who took part in explaining the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church’s history, sacred objects and its Abenet Schools (Kes Temeheret bet) to the non-Amharic speakers,” according to Wz. Amaretch Tademe, one of the organizers.
A presentation of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church
Come and learn about the rich history and tradition of the church which has held on to the faith of the apostles for over 2000 years.
Exhibition in Amharic and English featuring:
* Presentation on the contributions of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church to Ethiopia and the world
* The Ecclesiastical Melodies of Saint Yared
* Audiovisual presentation of the Monasteries and Churches in Ethiopia
* A display of sacred objects
* A special area for children
* Sermons on unity
* Information about charitable organizations that works closely with the church
* Testimonials of miracles that are being seen in today’s Ethiopia
* Hymns, poems, plays, and much more.
Location:
Washington Monument Grounds, 15th and Constitution Ave, NW
Date/Time:
Saturday, August 1st, 2009, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday, August 2nd, 2009, 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
For more info: [email protected]
Coordinator: Nibure’ed GebreHiwot Melissie
Yohannes Teklu, Tel 301 899 6521
Shewakena Habteyes, Tel 301 404 7582
Amarech Tademe, Tel 202 297 0610
NEW YORK — The critically acclaimed and winner of the 3rd annual Addis International Film Festival, Guzo (The Journey) will make its New York City debut at the renowned state-of the- art Helen Mills Theater on Saturday, August 8th…