Double-Edged Hydropolitics on the Nile - Center for Security Studies ...

Water challenges in the Nile Basin
and Whittington 1998; Allan 1999; Elhance 1999; Wiebe 2001; Swain 2002;
Nicol 2003; Collins 2006).
Waterbury (1979; 2002), Collins (1990; 2002), Howell and Allan (1990;
2000), and Erlich (2000) provide detailed descriptions of the history, the
hydrology, as well as the sociocultural characteristics of the Nile Basin. In
a coordinated project, Mason (2004) and Yacob Arsano (2004) analyze
downstream and upstream interests and positions in the Eastern Nile
Basin (see also Amer and Hefny 2005; Amer et al. 2005; Hamad and El-
Battahani 2005; Yacob Arsano and Imeru Tamrat 2005). Tesfaye Tafesse
(2001) provides a detailed upstream perspective on the issue of conflict
and cooperation in the Nile Basin. Varis (2000) illustrates the challenges
in the Nile Basin using a wide set of development and governance indicators.
Economic or explorative models on Nile development options
and future scenarios have also been developed (e.g., Wichelns et al. 2003;
Whittington 2004; Whittington et al. 2005; Wu and Whittington 2006).
Preliminary assessments of the Nile Basin Initiative as the latest and most
comprehensive cooperation program in the Nile Basin are contributed by
academics (Foulds 2002; Swain 2002; Peichert 2003), NGOs (El-Khodari
2002; Pottinger 2004), or the local media (e.g., Addis Tribune 2004; Al-
Ahram Weekly 2004).
Hydrology and water utilization in the Nile Basin
The Nile Basin (Figure 2.1) covers roughly 10% of the African continent, and
is home to 18% of the African population. Table 2.1 provides an overview
of the ten Nile Basin countries and their attributes in terms of population,
water availability, water dependency and withdrawal rates, (potential) irrigation
development, access to improved water supply and sanitation, and
gross national income per capita. Several Nile Basin states are among the
world’s poorest countries and struggle with multiple development challenges
such as famine, unemployment, and frequent violent conflicts at a
local or regional level. Population densities are particularly high around
Lake Victoria and the Ethiopian highlands, and the corresponding figures
61