** Management of water resources: towards a new era of cooperation between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt? **
*Introduction*
The challenges linked to the management of Nile Water Resources, exacerbated by the construction and functioning of the Grand Ethiopien de Renaissance (GERD), continue to raise security, development and regional cooperation issues. In this context, the words of the expert in water resources, Abbas Sharaqi, deserve to be examined in depth. Its analysis, based on recent data, indicates that Ethiopia could be led to release large quantities of water in the near future, and this could potentially have repercussions on Sudan and Egypt.
*The dynamics of water release*
According to Sharaqi, Ethiopia could be forced to release up to 20 billion cubic meters of water from the Gerd before the start of the rainy season in June. This observation follows from an essential observation: the cessation of turbines intended for the production of electricity, which implies that the current state of the dam reservoir, stabilized at around 60 billion cubic meters, does not allow the water to be sold as initially planned. The management of these volumes of water, deemed crucial to avoid disastrous impacts on Sudan and Egypt, requires a gradual and concerted approach.
*The issues for Sudan and Egypt*
Sharaqi highlights the importance of a release of progressive water to prevent a sudden and unexpected discharge which could pose serious risk of flooding in the surrounding areas. This situation raises major questions concerning the safety of populations and hydraulic infrastructure. As two downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan must sail with this potentially perilous context.
It is also important to recall that the Nile is a shared river, essential to the survival and the economy of millions of people. The challenge here consists not only in coordinating the sharing of these precious resources, but also in favoring the links of cooperation which could make it possible to manage the waters of the Nile in a sustainable manner.
*The role of regional and international actors*
Relations between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt were already marked by tensions before the emergence of the Gerd. However, this situation could be an opportunity to rethink these relationships. In this regard, the role of international and regional actors is fundamental. The international community, as well as organizations such as the African Union, can play a facilitating role by offering mechanisms of dialogue and negotiation which advocate a fair and lasting use of resources.
How could we establish a solid cooperation framework that includes all the Nile-resident countries? The implementation of clear agreements governing the use of Nile waters could be a way to explore. It could also be wise to invest in research projects and early alert systems to anticipate variations in water flows, and thus mitigate the impacts of fluctuations on populations.
*Conclusion*
The current situation within the Nile region poses complex challenges, but also reform and dialogue opportunities. The management of water resources, especially in the face of unpredictable climatic phenomena, requires an enlightened, proactive and collaborative approach. Abbas Sharaqi’s words highlight the urgency of concerted action and solid regional cooperation. The sustainable management of this precious resource is essential not only for the survival of nations, but also for the promotion of peace and stability in the region. One question remains: how to move towards a fair sharing which serves the needs and interests of each? Only a constructive dialogue will be able to shed light on the path towards a harmonious use of the resources of the Nile.