Professor Yacob Arsano Criticizes Egypt's Nile Stance Regarding AU Principles

AI-summarized · Neutrality-checked

Professor Yacob Arsano, a former member of Ethiopia's GERD negotiating team, stated that Egypt's position on the Nile River violates African Union principles regarding equitable utilization and cooperation. In an interview with ENA, Arsano argued that Egypt’s claim to exclusive ownership of the river’s waters hinders sustainable joint development. He further rejected third-party mediation in the dispute, advocating instead for the African Union principle of "African solutions to African problems" and asserting Ethiopia's sovereign right to develop water projects, noting that 86 percent of the river originates within its borders.

Consequences

The rejection of third-party mediation and the assertion of Ethiopia's sovereign right to pursue additional water projects beyond the GERD suggest a continued stalemate in tripartite negotiations. These positions indicate that Ethiopia will likely maintain its current development trajectory for the river without seeking external consensus.

Sources

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