The Impact of Water Politics on Regional Security: a Case Study of Nile Basin States

Abstract

Water politics has gained prime importance in the world as trans-boundary water resources cover nearly half of the earth surface connecting many states. The Nile basin is among the largest river basin in the world connecting several states. This study proposes to examine the impact of water politics on regional security with a focus on the Nile basin states. The study analyses the existing hydro-political elements and investigates the achievements in terms of institutional cooperation in the basin. The international and regional water problems are broadly analyzed. The study is based on secondary data resources and related literature. The available sources are analyzed through explanatory approaches. The findings, among others, have revealed that weak agricultural economy, scarcity of water and relatively less favorable political arena has hindered riparian states‟ cooperation in the Nile basin. The findings further revealed that both Egypt and Sudan have continued to enjoy their unchallenged rights over the use of the Nile River‟s water, as accorded to them in the previous water agreements. This is quickly changing with the growing water demands of the upstream riparian countries, which previously depended mainly on the rain fed agricultural activities for their livelihood. These countries are requesting for their fair share of the water. The study concludes that there appears to be prospects for more cooperation. Riparian states of the Nile also have been struggling to bring cooperative initiatives and they have been successful to some extent in negotiating their interest.