Securitisation of Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) and Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD): Dialectical Positions between Upstream and Downstream Riparian Countries

This paper explained the water securitisation rifts over Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA hereafter) and Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD hereafter) between upstream and downstream riparian countries of Eastern Nile Basin (ENB hereafter). The research approach is a qualitative one. The study used published and unpublished secondary and primary data sources, and thematic data analysis was applied. The paper found that both CFA and GERD are being securitised by both upstream and downstream countries. Egypt and Sudan claim that it is a security issue to let upstream use a drop of water from the shared resources (thesis). Conversely, Ethiopia claims that it is an issue of sovereignty, equitable right, survival and security to develop and use the resource (anti-thesis). These static and uncompromising positions have created deadlock on both the CFA and GERD and undermine the sustainable development, use and protection of the shared resource. As synthesis, this study believes that the lasting solution is founded on denationalising, de-securitising and regionalising the CFA, GERD and the Nile water.