Transformation for cooperation: river basin organizations, negotiations, and the case of the Nile Basin Initiative

Basin-wide River Basin Organizations are widely promoted by reputable international bodies as the best way to achieve cooperation in negotiations over shared basins. As more shared basins around the world face growing water scarcity, the need for international cooperation is becoming more intense. It is not clear whether RBOs should be promoted as a best practice in international basins with numerous riparian states. Using the case study of the Nile Basin Initiative basin-wide River Basin Organization in Africa, a content analysis of official claims by Nile basin riparian states was performed. This content analysis examined whether or not progress towards achieving transformation in negotiations has occurred under the guidance of the Nile Basin Initiative. Data collected revealed little or no progress towards transformation in Nile riparian state claims to the Nile waters. The common practice of promoting such organizations in all international basins must be re-examined.