Nile Nations Differ on Proposed Water-Sharing

Nine African nations have failed to reach a consensus about a new accord to share the river Nile’s water.

Seven upstream countries on the river Nile want to rework the earlier pact, signed in 1959, which gives Sudan and Egypt control over 87% of the Nile’s water, according to Agence France Presse.

Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda and Burundi want to sign a new accord to implement irrigation and hydroelectric power projects in their countries without allowing Egypt to use the veto power it is currently enjoying.

Egypt and Sudan are reluctant to agree to the accord claiming the water supply will be severely reduced if the seven upstream nations use Nile water for irrigation and hydropower, according to terradaily.com.