Consensus only path for Nile Basin's future, Egypt minister says in South Sudan

CAIRO - 23 February 2026: Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam cautioned against "hasty, undisciplined institutional steps" regarding Nile water governance, asserting that a comprehensive consensus is the only viable path forward for the region.

Speaking in Juba, South Sudan, for the 20th regional "Nile Day" and the 27th anniversary of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) on Sunday, Sewilam delivered a firm diplomatic message: Egypt remains committed to a collective future but rejects any framework that ignores the concerns of the basin's majority.

The Entebbe Challenge

At the heart of the tension is the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), often called the Entebbe Agreement. While several upstream nations have signed the accord to seek a greater share of water, Egypt and Sudan have historically sought to protect their existing water quotas and maintain a requirement for "prior notification" before upstream projects begin. Egypt argues the CFA is not a "rigid document" and must evolve to ensure mutual satisfaction.

In a Wednesday statement, Sewilam emphasized that the consultative process launched by the Nile Council of Ministers is the "only practical path" to transition into a new era of cooperation. He noted that countries currently outside the CFA—which include Egypt—represent more than half of the total population of the Nile Basin.

"Any future arrangements must reflect collective ownership and comprehensive consensus," Sewilam stated. He pointed to a special committee report suggesting that the CFA is a "flexible tool" that can be amended via Articles 35, 36, and 37 to accommodate the "well-founded concerns" of all member states.

Obstacles to Unity

Sewilam praised the role of women and youth in water governance, calling women "pivotal" to rural livelihoods and urging for their increased representation in decision-making. However, the diplomatic tone sharpened when discussing the current deadlock.

The Minister lamented that while there is broad support for continued consultation, "a single country" continues to obstruct the goal of a truly inclusive commission. He attributed this to "political considerations" and "self-interest" rather than the collective prosperity of the basin.

Ethiopia has been making unilateral decisions regarding Nile water governance since it began building the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in 2011.

"The Nile does not recognize borders; it connects us and dissolves our differences," Sewilam concluded, calling on development partners and civil society to support a unity that ensures every voice in the basin is heard.

Source: https://www.egypttoday.com/Article/1/145197/Consensus-only-path-for-Nile-Basin-s-future-Egypt-minister