Hydropolitics in the Nile River Basin have been dominated by Egypt,
which has developed its water-related infrastructure unilaterally. As a
result of Egypt's policies, relations with both Ethiopia and Sudan have
deteriorated over time, increasing the potential for contentious issues
to escalate into conflict. Recent population and agricultural trends
have only further exacerbated already tense relations. The challenge
lies in cooperation. Basinwide initiatives have been attempted, but,
until recently, have largely failed. The most recent Nile Basin Initiative
holds the strongest potential for establishing a basinwide framework for
cooperation. Nevertheless, a subbasin model would be more appropriate
and effective because it would diffuse existing tensions first without
jeopardizing basinwide cooperation prematurely.