EALA Wants Power Over Nile
Jun 22, 2003
EAST African countries were arm-twisted by donor institutions to recognise the controversial Nile Treaty, participants at a three-day seminar of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) members heard on Saturday.
Reuben Olita in Nairobi
EAST African countries were arm-twisted by donor institutions to recognise the controversial Nile Treaty, participants at a three-day seminar of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) members heard on Saturday.
EALA members and legal experts from the region said the World Bank and other donors were using their financial power to protect Egypt’s interests regarding River Nile.
Legal experts from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania said some donors had refused to fund water projects in the Lake Victoria region unless Egypt consented.
Experts said Egypt was monitoring water and irrigation projects in the region and was using its diplomatic muscle to frustrate their implementation.
Citing the Nile Treaty, Dr. John Ntambirweki, a lecturer of International Law at Makerere University, said Uganda was compelled to seek Egypt’s consent before building a second hydro-electric power dam.
The EALA members resolved to immediately negotiate, as a bloc, all matters relating to Lake Victoria and the Nile Basin.
Ends
EAST African countries were arm-twisted by donor institutions to recognise the controversial Nile Treaty, participants at a three-day seminar of East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) members heard on Saturday.
EALA members and legal experts from the region said the World Bank and other donors were using their financial power to protect Egypt’s interests regarding River Nile.
Legal experts from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania said some donors had refused to fund water projects in the Lake Victoria region unless Egypt consented.
Experts said Egypt was monitoring water and irrigation projects in the region and was using its diplomatic muscle to frustrate their implementation.
Citing the Nile Treaty, Dr. John Ntambirweki, a lecturer of International Law at Makerere University, said Uganda was compelled to seek Egypt’s consent before building a second hydro-electric power dam.
The EALA members resolved to immediately negotiate, as a bloc, all matters relating to Lake Victoria and the Nile Basin.
Ends