New Nile Basin Initiative boss takes office

The Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) has got a new executive director, Professor Seifeldin Hamad Abdalla, from Sudan, replaces engineer, Innocent Ntabana, from Rwanda. The new executive director will steer the organization for the next two years.

NBI is an institution that provides a platform to the 10 member states in the Nile basin - the areas traversed by River Nile. It was set up to promote cooperation and sustainable utilization of the trans-boundary river.

The institution's mandate also includes bringing the countries in the Nile basin together to chart ways of addressing common challenges like food, water, energy security as well as negative impacts of climate change.

In a May 27 statement, the NBI secretariat in Entebbe said the new boss brings to the organisation decades of deep experience and proven record of success as an engineer, a manager and a researcher. The NBI member countries, including Uganda, DR Congo, South Sudan, Burundi, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, The Sudan and Tanzania. Eritrea participates as an observer.

Seifeldin is the former chairman of the water resources technical organ in Sudan.

"He was responsible for transboundary water issues of Sudan including the Nile and its tributaries, among other things. Prior to that, he served as the minister of water resources from December 2011 to July 2012," the statement reads.

According to NBI, Seifeldin, who has already assumed his position at the secretariat, following his recent appointment, has emphasized the need to fast-track the stalled political process between Nile basin countries.

The process, he said, involves re-engaging Egypt and Eritrea. "I want to focus on the commitment of the countries to NBI and also find a way forward

regarding the stalemate on the re-engagement of Egypt and attain full membership and the engagement of Eritrea," he stated.

Seifeldin is said to have made major contributions to initiating and preparing agreements that have enhanced cooperation among the Nile countries, preventing conflicts and reducing tension and improving the future economic and political collaboration between millions of people in the region.

"His greatest successes were the Declaration of Principles on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)" between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, signed by the respective Heads of State in Khartoum on March 23, 2015," the statement further reads.

He also played key roles in the processes that produced the November 5, 2012, Addis Agreement which led to Sudan unfreezing its activities in NBI and resumption of full participation in the operations of the organization.

In addition, Seifeldin played a pivotal role in the formulation of the IGAD (Inter governmental Authority on Development) water resources policy of 2015. He also negotiated the trans-boundary Arab water agreement.

He takes over office at the time when the Nile basin region is undergoing rapid social, political and economic and environmental transformations. The region is also facing a multitude of shared challenges, including growing demands for water, food and energy.

"However, water variability keeps increasing, and climate change is expected to increase the risks. This reality can no longer be ignored," the secretariat said.

River Nile plays an integral part in achieving not only water security but also food and energy security as well as eradicating poverty for the people of the region.