Amir's Response to Lester R Brown “When the Nile Runs Dry”

Written By Amir Abdulla.
June 16, 2011

A Response to Lester R Brown “When the Nile Runs Dry”

Lester who wrote an article called “When the Nile Runs Dry” on www.nytimes.com which was published on, June 1, 2011 is far from the truth rather a cry for correction!! We expect that somebody in his position would be very aware and has done study on this matter but the article lacks simple history about Ethiopia but is fully equipped very well about the plight of Egypt. I wouldn't be surprised if he was another "self-proclaimed independent" writer yet has a bias agenda toward Ethiopia rather promote Egypt secretly as evident his article. His article is so full of errors and incorrect historic analysis as well inadequate responses to Ethiopia’s legitimate concern that one could conclude Lester’s article was written by Egypt's ex-dictator Hosni (now in jail for corruptions and murder).

Lester his article says "They (land grab) also pose a grave threat to Africa’s newest democracy: Egypt". Ethiopia has leased and will continue to lease to other interested countries land that are not being used. This policy is great and does not affect Egypt in any shape or form. Lester is worried about the democracy of Egypt but he was not worried when Dictator Hosni was ruling it!! Extremely bias and ill informed. Lester goes on to say “land grabs to the south are threatening its ability to put bread on the table because all of Egypt’s grain is either imported or produced with water from the Nile River” this analysis also another wrong assessment on his part because Egypt’s monopoly use of the Nile River should not be an excuse for its domestic problems. Does Lester want Ethiopia to remain the way it is??

Lester reminds his readers the agreement of “The Nile Waters Agreement, which Egypt and Sudan signed in 1959, gave Egypt 75 percent of the river’s flow, 25 percent to Sudan and none to Ethiopia” he sees nothing wrong with this agreement and he fails to even be concerned about Ethiopia’s 82 million people which more than 60 percent of the Nile River originates from. Lester considers “The Nile Water Agreement of 1959” normal yet worried that the agreement might be abandoned which is an extreme view even Egyptians themselves disagree with the agreement are working to rewrite it with their African nations of the Nile River Basin. Lester’s view even contradicts the new governments of Egypt policy toward the Nile River.

Lester’s boldest lie and factual misrepresentation is his claim “Ethiopia has announced plans to build a huge hydroelectric dam on its branch of the Nile that would reduce the water flow to Egypt even more” such a statement is a complete inaccurate and very poor knowledge of the New Abay Project. As the matter of fact the Abay project that Ethiopia has begun would not reduce or hamper the flow of water to Egypt since it would only be use for electricity. Ethiopia has made no secret that it has the right to use the Nile River water without any fear and it shall do so in accordance with international rule in terms of water regulations. Ethiopia has been following all the rules in accordance.

As of now Ethiopia and Egypt are working are working together not only regards to the Nile River but other trade agreement such as the selling of Electricity from Ethiopia. The new Prime Minister of Egypt arrived in Ethiopia and made it very clear to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia that the relations of Egypt and Ethiopia is much greater than anything as evident to their signing of several agreement. I guess Mr. Lester should do more research and rewrite his article in proper and unbiased form.