Legal Challenges of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile: A Case Study of International River Disputes
Abstract
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, built on the Blue Nile, has been one of the most disputed legal issues in international water law. The paper examines key legal questions pertaining to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam regarding the principle of equitable and reasonable use, prohibition to cause significant harm, and poor execution of a binding tripartite agreement between
Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. The paper will analyze the historical treaties, particularly those of 1929 and 1959, which have long governed the distribution of the Nile’s waters but today are a source of tension because of the rejection of its legitimacy by Ethiopia. It also goes on to analyze the role of international law in resolving transboundary water conflicts, underlining the United Nations Watercourses Convention and the role of international diplomacy. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam case illustrates the potential complexity of balancing the right of an upstream state to develop resources within its borders and dependency on shared water resources for states downstream. This paper assesses the legal positions of the parties involved and negotiation efforts against the overall larger implications for international river management and conflict resolution.
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