Museveni cautions Egypt on River Nile
Jun 13, 2013
President Yoweri Museveni has advised Egypt to handle the dispute over use of the waters of River Nile with caution.
By Vision Reporter
President Yoweri Museveni has advised Egypt to handle the dispute over use of the waters of River Nile with caution.
"It is advisable that those chauvinistic statements coming out of Egypt are restrained and through the Nile Valley Organization rational (not emotional and informed statements) discussions take place," Museveni said while addressing the nation and parliament on budget day Thursday.
"No African wants to hurt Egypt; however, Egypt cannot continue to hurt black Africa and the countries of the tropics of Africa."
He said the work Ethiopia is undertaking by building dams is crucial to regional economy, and should instead be encouraged by Egypt. "The biggest threat to the Nile is continued under-development in the tropics i.e. lack of electricity and lack of industrialization."
Museveni advised that industrialization is what is needed in the region so that people stop using wood fuel and shift from agriculture to industry and services.
Ethiopia's parliament yesterday ratified a controversial treaty ensuring its access to Nile water resources, amid bitter arguments with Egypt trigged by an Ethiopian dam project.
The deal replaces a colonial-era agreement that granted Egypt and Sudan the majority of water rights and allows upstream countries to implement irrigation and hydropower projects without first seeking Egypt's approval.
Museveni's address to the nation and Parliament on Budget day 2013.doc by The New Vision