Sudan Urged to Secure Binding GERD Agreement Amid Water Shortages

• A regional water resources expert has called for a binding agreement on the GERD operation.
• Nile River levels have fallen in Sudan, exacerbating concerns about water shortages and flooding.
• The lack of coordination between Ethiopia and Sudan is at the root of these problems.
• The GERD agreement will set a precedent for other large-scale dam projects in Africa.

The GERD dispute is not just a local issue; it has far-reaching implications for regional stability and global water governance.

A regional water resources expert has sounded the alarm on the need for a binding agreement governing the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The warning comes as Nile River levels have fallen in Sudan, exacerbating concerns about water shortages and flooding. According to reports, the lack of coordination between Ethiopia and Sudan is at the root of these problems, with both countries struggling to manage their respective shares of the Nile's waters.

The GERD, a massive hydroelectric dam project on the Blue Nile, has been a source of tension between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. While Ethiopia sees the dam as a vital source of electricity and economic growth, its neighbors are worried about the impact on their own water resources and food security.

The GERD agreement is not just a matter of regional politics; it also has significant implications for international law. The 1929 Nile Waters Agreement between Egypt, Sudan, and Britain established the principle that the Nile's waters should be shared equitably among its riparian states. However, this agreement has been criticized for being outdated and inadequate to address modern challenges such as large-scale dam operations.

The African Union's Framework Agreement on the Sharing of the Nile Waters is another key document in this context. Signed by 11 countries, it officially entered into force on October 13, 2024, after South Sudan became the sixth country to ratify it. It aims to promote cooperation and coordination among Nile Basin states; however, its full implementation has been slow due to the non-participation of some key riparian states, and disputes over water sharing continue to simmer.

The GERD dispute is not just a local issue; it has far-reaching implications for regional stability and global water governance. As the world's most populous regions face increasing pressure on their water resources, the Nile Basin states are at the forefront of this challenge. The GERD agreement will set a precedent for other large-scale dam projects in Africa, making it essential to get it right.

Lawyers advising clients in the region should be paying close attention to developments around the GERD agreement. Changes to water resource management policies and compliance with international agreements related to large-scale dam operations are likely on the horizon. As the stakes grow higher, the need for a binding agreement that balances competing interests becomes increasingly urgent.

Lawyers advising clients in the region should watch for potential changes to water resource management policies and compliance with international agreements related to large-scale dam operations.

Source: Original reporting via Dabanga