Article 44 of newly amended Egyptian constitution states the following concerning the Nile: The State shall protect the River Nile, preserve Egypts historical rights thereto, rationalize and maximize its use, and refrain from wasting or polluting its water. The State shall also protect groundwater; adopt necessary means for ensuring water security; and support scientific research in that regard. Every citizen is guaranteed the right to enjoy the River Nile. It is prohibited to trespass the riverbank reserve or harm the riverine environment. The State shall guarantee eliminating any trespass against the River Nile as regulated by Law. The phrase which absorbed my attention is historical rights of Egypt to utilize the Nile river. Which historical rights? How can one expect changes in their approach to the utilization of Nile river and fresh negotiations with Ethiopia on Grand Renaissance Dam while being committed to legalize the 1929 and 1959 agreements; in both of which Ethiopia had never been represented and consulted when they signed the treaties? This is one of the manifestations of their selfish and zero-sum game water diplomacy which has been perpetuating injustice and inequality. This is also the continuation of their water apartheid policy on the Nile which has to be condemned. We have to tell them to correct their level of ignorance and discriminatory policy. “Repetition teaches (even) a donkey”- Egyptian proverb. ncwegypt/index.php/en/media-centre/ncw-news/147-ncw-s-stand-with-regards-to-the-current-events-and-issues/1164-republic-of-egypt-draft-constitution-2013
Posted on: Sat, 18 Jan 2014 20:46:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015