Abstract:
The objectives of this research were to objectively define the two important terms, ‘equity’ and ‘without
appreciable harm’, in the water utilization principles enshrined in the United Nation (UN) Convention in
the context of visions of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI). Need-based allocation of Nile waters and the new
emerging concept of ‘reserved’ and ‘shared’ water were used as tools to quantify equity. Results of
allocation based on per capita per year indicated that Ethiopia, Sudan, Egypt and Equatorial states,
each, will get 15, 22, 49, and 14% of the annual flow of Nile waters, respectively. Evaluation of
allocation scenarios of the Nile waters revealed that allocation based on the 1959 Water Agreement
does not guarantee sustainable utilization and does not comply with the UN Convention. However,
allocation based on the weighted area and per capita methods were found to guarantee sustainable
utilization and to comply with the UN Convention. The results of this study can be used as a framework
of negotiation platform to open up more fruitful discussions and dialogues among decision makers in
the basin states.
