(NAIROBI) – South Sudan’s Acting Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hon. Dr Joseph Geng Akech, led a high level delegation in Nairobi this week during an important regional engagement on the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) concerning the River Nile.
The discussions were held at the Radisson Blu Hotel and included representatives from the Nile Council of Ministers (Nile-COM) as well as a special delegation from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Cooperative Framework Agreement is a key legal document intended to promote equitable and sustainable management of the Nile’s shared water resources among all riparian states.
It seeks to replace earlier arrangements that some countries believe were imbalanced, especially regarding water usage rights downstream and upstream.
Dr Geng Akech, who also serves as South Sudan’s Minister of Youth and Sports, represented South Sudan on the Nile-COM Special Committee. This committee currently comprises members from both South Sudan and Uganda, and it was formed to engage Nile Basin countries that have not yet ratified the CFA, including the DRC.
The DRC delegation used the occasion to share their views and express concerns about the agreement. They also outlined possible conditions or adjustments that might make the treaty more acceptable to their country.
South Sudanese representatives, including Dr Geng Akech, responded to the presentation with clarifications and thoughtful reflections, underlining the importance of regional trust and collaboration in managing transboundary water resources.
Ambassador Anthony Kon, South Sudan’s Head of Mission in Nairobi, was also present and lent diplomatic support to the delegation. He reaffirmed Juba’s strong commitment to dialogue and peaceful cooperation on Nile issues, highlighting the importance of inclusive participation from all member states.
As one of the Nile’s upstream countries, South Sudan plays a strategic role in the future of any agreements that govern the flow and management of Nile waters, particularly as water scarcity and climate change continue to affect the region.
The CFA is currently ratified by several Nile Basin countries including Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania, while others such as Egypt and Sudan have raised concerns or withheld formal support. South Sudan’s balanced position is seen by observers as critical in bridging the gap between upstream and downstream countries.
The talks in Nairobi are part of a wider push to encourage more inclusive consensus around the Nile Basin’s long term development, especially in sectors like agriculture, hydropower and environmental protection.
South Sudan, though still a relatively new member of the Nile Basin Initiative, has expressed strong interest in aligning itself with cooperative frameworks that ensure fair access to water resources and prevent future disputes among member states.
