NEWS

Nile Basin states agree to ruling body on water use

NAIROBI, March 28 (Reuters) - African countries forming the Nile Basin have agreed to set up a commission governing the river's use, although a few sticking points remain, Kenya's water minister said on Wednesday.

Mon 14th January 2008

The 6,695 km (4,160 mile) river has been a source of conflict for decades between the impoverished nations in its catchment area and Arab power Egypt, for which it is a lifeline.

"We have agreed on most of the things on the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework. We will be establishing a commission which will be able to regulate the use of the waters of the Nile," Kenyan Water Minister Mutua Katuku told journalists.