Ethiopia’s Developmental Rights to Use Nile River

Abstract

This paper reviews the Ethiopia’s developmental rights in using Nile River based on principles of international water law related to transboundary water resources management and analyses to what extent these principles are incorporated in recent international conventions and treaties. The study tells that principle of equitable and reasonable utilization, obligation not to cause significant harm, principles of cooperation, information exchange, notification, consultation and peaceful settlement of disputes are widely acknowledged by modern international conventions, agreements and treaties. These principles could facilitate effective transboundary water resources management involving riparian countries of shared watercourses and hence, promote sustainable development around the world.The paper is set out into five sections. The first section begins with a description of Grand Renaissance Dam of Ethiopia and its importance. The second section describes Nile Basin Initiatives (NBI) 1999. The third section deals with International Water law and Qualm Over Nile River. The fourth section of the paper elucidates Theories and doctrines of international water law. The last section discusses the Principles of international water law.Ethiopia has not clung to its natural benefit of being an upstream country. Being a supply of 86% of the Nile water, it has not claimed absolute territorial sovereignty over the water in its boundaries. Under international water laws Ethiopia would solely be required to notify and share applicable information with downstream nations in order to utilize the river. This is the courtesy that Egypt did not prolong to Ethiopia or the other top riparian states when it used be growing its numerous water infrastructures on the Nile River and diverting the river out of it is herbal course. Ethiopia has no need of harming any one rather than using it is own developmental rights in collaborative and embracing circumstance approach within other riparian nations.

DOI: 10.7176/IAGS/89-02

Publication date: January 31^st 2021