Nile Politics From Conflict to Mutual Benefit, the Opinion of Ethiopian Journalists

ABSTRACT 

This study entitled 'Nile politics: from conflict to mutual benefit vis-a-vis opinion of Ethiopian Journalists' is well-timed. This is true since there has been war rhetoric and low scale conflict on Nile. The research was guided by the objective of exploring the opinion of Ethiopian journalists on the relevance and applicability of the 1929 and 1959 Nile treaties, examining the outlook of the media on the current ongoing Nile negotiations, investigating the opinion of the press on the source of conflict in Nile politics and the possibility of realizing a mutual benefit among the riparian states. An interview was also conducted with some renowned scholars on Nile politics. The existing literatures as well as the experience of other basin countries show that realizing an agreement that dictates equitable and reasonable utilization of water is the only durable solution to do away with the protracted Nile politics. The study employed quantitative and qualitative approaches where the first made it possible to collect identify and analyze the journalists' opinion on Nile politics; and the latter enabled the researcher to relate the journalists' opinion with Nile politics and comprehend the issue in a bigger context. 200 Ethiopian journalists who are based in Addis Ababa were identified as sample size and they filled the designed questionnaires that aimed at collecting the primary data. Selected interviews were also conducted with a few Nile authorities. In conclusion, the opinion of the press and the Nile authorities was analyzed. The study was enriched by the wealthy literature review on Nile politics. Most of the journalists (89%) say they are engaged in one way or another in reporting, writing, editing or any form of journalism works related to Nile politics. The majority of them (83%) strongly believe that the 1929 and 1959 Nile River Treaties are irrelevant ,, to the current political reality of the basin. A good number of the press people say that the contested security, economic and legal issues can be resolved by realizing a new agreement agreeable to all; and, in doing so there is a possibility of developing Nile River for a mutual benefit of the riparian states. The opinion of the journalists and the Nile authorities is in line with the existing conflict resolution theories.

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

Introduction

Research Design

Research Population

Sample Framework

Sample Size

Sample Techniques

Sampling Procedure

Methods for Data Collection

Data Gathering Procedures

Sources of Data

Validity and Reliability of Instrument

Data Analysis

Ethical Considerations

Limitations of the Study

CHAPTER FOUR ..-

DATA PRESENTATION, ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS

Introduction

Socio Demographic Characteristics of Respondents

Opinion of Respondents on Key Issues

Relevance and application of the 1~29 and 1959 treaties to the existing political and socioeconomic reality of Nile basin

The source of conflict regarding the utility and distribution of river Nile

The resolution for the current stalemate on the agreement of river Nile

The possibility of developing river Nile for a mutual benefit and cooperation of all riparian states . . 49

Selected Interviews

CHAPTER FIVE

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Introduction

Summary of Findings

Recommendations

General Recommendations

Areas for Future Research

Conclusions

REFERENCES

APPENDIX III

QUESTIONNAIRES FOR ADDIS ABABA BASED PRINT JOURNALISTS

APPENDIX IV

INTERVIEW GUIDE FOR SELECTED NILE AUTHORmES

RESEARCHER'S CURRICULUM VITAE