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Kenya Signs New Nile Deal, Despite Egypt's Objections

   VOA News 19 May 2010
   Map of Nile River and surrounding countries

   Kenya  has  signed a new agreement to alter water-sharing arrangements
   for the Nile River, despite objections from Egypt.

   At  a  news  conference  in  Nairobi  Wednesday, Kenyan Water Minister
   Charity  Ngilu  said  nothing  is stopping East African countries from
   using the water as they choose. She said it is "up to Egypt to come on
   board."

   Four  other  East  African  countries  signed  the deal last Friday in
   Uganda  after  13  years  of  discussions.  Burundi and the Democratic
   Republic of Congo have promised to sign within the next year.

   The deal calls for experts to determine how to fairly share the Nile's
   water  resources.  It  seeks to replace previous agreements, from 1929
   and  1959,  that give Egypt and Sudan control over about 90 percent of
   the Nile's water.
   Virtually all of Egypt's water comes from the Nile, Cairo, April 2010

VOA - E. Arrott

   Virtually all of Egypt's water comes from the Nile, Cairo, April 2010

   The  new  deal has sparked sharp criticism from Egypt, which is vowing
   to take legal action to maintain its current water rights.

   Egypt  is  home  to  almost  80  million  people.  Officials there are
   concerned  there  may  not  be  enough  water to sustain the country's
   rapidly growing population.

   Egyptian  officials say Egypt relies on the Nile for 96 percent of its
   water,  while  the other Nile Basin countries rely on the river for no
   more  than  three percent of their water needs. Egypt has also accused
   some Nile basin countries of wasting large amounts of water.

   Ugandan  Minister  of  Water  and Environment Maria Mutagamba said the
   Nile  Basin countries plan to meet again in June or July. She said, in
   the  meantime,  they  will  continue  to  talk  with Egypt in hopes of
   getting Cairo's support.

   Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Uganda signed the accord last Friday.