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 River.

Itefa said that right rests on the principle of equitable and reasonable use, which he cited as the basis for Ethiopia’s approach to developing its Nile resources.

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

His remarks drew a distinction between using shared water resources equitably and making Ethiopian projects conditional on downstream consent, a requirement he opposed.