UPSTREAM COUNTRIES SIGN NEW NILE WATER SHARE DEAL

Four upstream countries signed a new deal to share the Nile waters against the opposition from Sudan and Egypt that say they have historical rights over the river flow.

Rwanda, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania signed today in Entebbe, Uganda, the new Nile Basin framework.

Kenya issued a support statement.

The other two upstream states, Burundi and DR Congo did not take part in the Entebbe meeting.

With the new agreements the Nile riparian countries are able to use the river for new power and agriculture projects in consultation with Egypt and Sudan.

The new agreement does not recognize the right of Egypt to veto any new project along the Nile, a power given in 1929.

Until now Sudan and Egypt had the right to control and use more than 90 percent of the Nile waters.