Countries on River Nile course must plan together for sustainability - Museveni
President Yoweri Museveni has said that the countries on the course of the River Nile must plan together for the sustainability of the water of the Nile.
“The River Nile is not for sovereignty. It is for common use as an asset. Its sustainability requires strategic discussion and planning by the stakeholders in order to reinstate the volume of the water by working on the environment and wetlands that are part of the water cycle. The biggest problem affecting the river is environmental degradation,” he said.
The President was on Saturday meeting Dr. Mariam Alsadig Al Sedeeg Al Mahadi a Special Envoy from the Transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman and army commander, Lt Gen of the Republic of Sudan, Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
The President and the Sudanese Envoy who is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs discussed bilateral issues towards strengthening cooperation between the two sister countries in a meeting that took place on May 1, at State House Entebbe.
“The increasing population has attacked the wetlands and natural vegetation for firewood and practicing primitive agriculture. There is a need to rationalize the use of the Nile; handle the matter in totality by the leaders of the member countries,” Museveni said.
The Sudanese Envoy was accompanied by Engineer Mustafa Hassen who is also the Head of the Technical Team for Water Resources in the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources among others said that the Nile River course member states should negotiate the issue of Nile water rationally.
“Egypt and its historical rights inherited from the British government over the Nile river should be discussed on a round-table. It is Africa to find Africa solutions to Africa problems approach,” she said.
On Sudan's political affairs, Dr. Mariam Alsadig Al Sedeeg Al Mahadi assured President Museveni that the Transitional government is working hard to ensure peace and stability.
“We are now for peace principle. Making reconciliation mandates us to work together in the region,” she said.
