Resolving water conflicts: dispute settlement mechanisms applicable to international water resources

In 2020, Ethiopia started filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile river.

Abstract

In 2020, Ethiopia started filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile river, which comprises a major Ethiopian development project viewed of national and sovereign significance. The dam has raised concerns in particular for Egypt who claim historic treaty rights to Nile waters. The tensions between the two countries escalated in 2020, when Ethiopia started filling the dam in the absence of an agreement. Although Ethiopia has argued that the hydroelectric GERD will not significantly affect the flow of water into the Nile, Egypt depends almost entirely on the Nile waters for household and commercial uses, and sees the dam as a major threat to its water security which it understands to be protected by treaties. The dispute also affects Sudan who also rely significantly on Nile water. Over the last year, tensions have escalated significantly.

This paper is an output of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform (PEACEREP) programme.

Citation

Daza-Clark, A. M. Resolving Water Conflicts: Dispute Settlement Mechanisms Applicable to International Water Resources. (PeaceRep Report: Climate & Natural Resources). PeaceRep: The Peace and Conflict Resolution Evidence Platform, University of Edinburgh, 2020

Resolving water conflicts: dispute settlement mechanisms applicable to international water resources

Updates to this page

Published 2 April 2022