South Sudan Parliament on 8th July, 2024 in total agreement ratified the agreement on the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework. Community Empowerment for Progress Organization highly congratulates our national parliament for this positive and remarkable history act. It is impressive response to our lobby work with some of the parliamentarians.
Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO says this CFA was before the national parliament for 11 years delayed to strategic blockage from the elements that does not want South Sudan government take responsibility associated with matters of the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework. South Sudan is essential player on the matter of water governance, economic and security for the progressive growth of humanity and development, so delaying the ratification of the CFA for 11 years was a strategic mistake undertaken by our government. Our national parliament made us proud by ratifying the CFA. We now, have legal obligation to have a say on the Agreement on the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework
Next step is for the national parliament to ensure the resolution on the ratification of the CFA on the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework is urgently adopted and deposited to African Union for operationalization of South Sudan membership to CFA. The relevant institutions of the government should take proactive role in ensure the next steps after ratification of the CFA are executed timely without any delay. Our sustainable development objectives are strongly linked to our commitment to CFA. CEPO will be proactively engage on matters associated with article 14 (b) of CFA (Article 14(b) of the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) addresses the issue of water security for all Nile Basin States. However, it remains unresolved. The disagreement centers around whether the water security and current uses and rights of Nile Basin states should be affected. Egypt and Sudan proposed including a provision to protect existing water uses and rights, but the upstream states rejected this proposal. They view the Nile water treaties of 1929 and 1959 as having no binding effect on themselves. The version proposed by Egypt would have Nile Basin states agree “not to adversely affect the water security and current uses and rights of any other Nile Basin State” . The Nile River Basin Commission (NRBC) is tasked with seeking a resolution on the terms of Article 14 within six months of its establishment.
“CEPO as civil society will be joining the championship for the CFA implementation for the benefit common citizens of the Nile River Basin communities. “Role of civil society is linked to involvement of civil society facilitates engagement and participation of different stakeholders. This constructive engagement contributes to planning and implementing projects and programs under the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). Civil society’s active participation helps secure ownership and legitimacy of developments at all levels, ensuring that decisions are inclusive and consider diverse perspectives. CEPO will advocate for the establishment of civil society for CFA implementation with host in South Sudan,”
