Existing issues in the Nile River conflict today include upstream development and population growth within the Nile Basin. Various upstream nations are considering infrastructure projects to improve their economy and reduce poverty levels in their countries. For instance, Ethiopia seeks to construct the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa, which will affect water flow downstream. Moreover, population growth within the Nile Basin forces countries to seek additional water shares to feed their citizens. These issues threaten the survival of Egyptians who rely on this river for 90 percent of their water, resulting in conflicts. Older treaties should not be considered in the current situation because of the demographic and environmental changes experienced in countries within the Nile Basin. Older treaties fail to consider the current population growth in upstream countries that forces them to seek additional water shares. Moreover, older treaties denied other countries upriver the opportunity to use the Nile water, yet they serve as the water sources for the Nile. Ethiopia's position on dam construction on the Blue Nile is the urgency for economic development. The dam will help reduce poverty levels and provide enough electricity for all citizens and sell the surplus to neighboring countries. Although Ethiopia's reason for constructing the dam is justified, the country's decision to build such a large dam is unjustified. Mega-dams, like this one, have unforeseen environmental effects. This dam will reduce water flow downstream, threatening the well-being of Egyptians, who rely on it the most. Fair solutions to conflicts in water allocation include the need to have a new treaty involving all countries in the Nile Basin. The inclusion of all countries will help in the management of Nile water benefitting all countries. The countries need to embrace diplomacy and make consultations before embarking on major projects that may threaten the water flow.
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