Ethiopia Asserts Sovereign Right to Use Nile Water Resources

Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, said his country has a sovereign right to develop and use its water resources in the Nile.

Itefa grounded that position in the principle of equitable and reasonable use, presenting it as the basis for Ethiopia’s development of the river’s resources.

The minister rejected calls for Ethiopia to obtain prior approval from downstream countries before undertaking water projects.

His remarks drew a distinction between equitable use of Nile waters and requiring downstream consent, which he rejected as a condition for Ethiopian projects.