The evolution of the Nile regulatory regime: a history of cooperation and conflict

Abstract

The objective of this study is to trace the historical evolution of the present Nile Basin regulatory framework and examine its influence on the current interactions among Nile riparian states. This research adopts a case-study design, with in-depth qualitative analysis of the Nile Basin as an example of the complex transboundary relations over shared waters. It uses an analytical framework derived from the New Institutional Economics (NIE) to analyse the evolution of the institutional framework that has governed the Nile basin and how it affected the annual water share allocated to each riparian country. The study argues that the historical beliefs and social norms of the riparian societies have been among the major factors that influenced the cooperation attempts during the past century and determined their outcomes. Therefore, a prerequisite to develop sustainable cooperation is levelling the playing field by addressing the beliefs and norms that have prevented cooperation while identifying the beliefs that can support cooperation.

Conflicts and Treaty over the Nile Basin. A Critical Review

“…Since the beginning of the 20th century, deals with two or three nations have largely focused on maintaining the levels of water, which reach downstream nations tying the countries in the Nile Basin together. The accords emphasize that upstream nations must not take any actions that could reduce the quantity of water that reaches downstream nations (Mason, 2004;Tariku, 2014;Tayia et al, 2021). The downstream nations, particularly Egypt, made several measures in the very beginning of the decolonization era to safeguard their interests in preserving the status quo (Tayia et al, 2021).…”

“…The accords emphasize that upstream nations must not take any actions that could reduce the quantity of water that reaches downstream nations (Mason, 2004;Tariku, 2014;Tayia et al, 2021). The downstream nations, particularly Egypt, made several measures in the very beginning of the decolonization era to safeguard their interests in preserving the status quo (Tayia et al, 2021). As a result, Egyptian security concerns and self-regard for preserving the Nile's unrestricted flow shaped cooperation efforts throughout the basin after the 1959 accord.…”

“…Hydromet Project (1967Project ( -1993 The Hydromet project (Hydro-Meteorological Survey of Lakes Victoria, Kyoga, and Albert) was created by Egypt, Kenya, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda following assistance from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 1967 (Tayia et al, 2021). With the omission of Ethiopia and the DRC, all Nile riparian states were part of the project.…”

Análisis del conflicto del agua: la disputa del río Nilo

“…The historical analysis made in Tayia et al (2021) identifies the origin of the contemporary dispute in the British colonization of Egypt (1882). The dispute is mainly divided into 2 historical periods.…”

“…Needs -Fears Mapping on Nile River Dispute (continuación)Note: based on the analysis of information gathered fromEl-Fadel et al (2003),Madani et al (2011),Oestigaard (2012) andTayia et al (2021). Nonetheless, the context of the 1959 treaty is no longer the same.…”