Introduction to Water Security
There are several definitions of water security, including:
A. "The ability of populations to ensure sustainable access to adequate quantities of acceptable quality water to support livelihoods, human well-being, and socio-economic development, while ensuring protection from water-related pollution and water-related disasters, and preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability" (UN-Water, 2013).
B. "The provision of an acceptable quantity and quality of water for health, livelihoods, ecosystems, and production, alongside an acceptable level of water-related risks to humans, the environment, and economies" (Grey & Sadoff, 2007).
C. "The right of all Nile Basin countries to ensure access to and utilization of the Nile River system's water for health, agriculture, livelihoods, production, and the environment" (World Bank definition of water security during negotiations on the Cooperative Framework Agreement for the Nile Basin (CFA, 2011)).
Christina Leb and Patricia Wouters argue that "international law is an integral part of the water security puzzle, providing a comprehensive system of rules, processes, rights, and obligations that can be used (and have been used) to achieve water security at global, basin, and individual levels" (Leb, C., & Wouters, P., 2013). There are a significant number of international agreements that enhance water security or some of its aspects, and they already exist. Although international law cannot be a magic solution, and the scope of current legal regulation may not adequately address the interconnections between surface water, groundwater, and the atmosphere, the system as a whole provides a solid foundation upon which to build to enhance water security at the global level.
The concept of water security in relation to water resources leads to the development of more integrated management solutions, increased attention to the needs of the poorest and most affected countries, the cessation of unsustainable water exploitation, and the development of management strategies at regional, national, and local levels that promote equitable access and adequate supply of water services (Grethel Aguilar Rojas and Alejandro Iza, 2011).
Patricia Wouters (2005) proposed three key elements of water security:
A. Water security relies on three fundamental freedoms: freedom from poverty, freedom from fear, and the freedom to live with human dignity.
B. Ensuring water security may lead to conflicts of interest, and this conflict must be identifiable and effectively addressed at international, national, and local levels.
C. Water security, like water, is a dynamic concept that requires clear local champions and sustainable stewardship.
Sudan's water security encompasses the security of agriculture, energy, transportation, health, the environment, and others, forming the backbone of security and economic development, social progress, political stability, and national security in general. Robert McNamara (1968), the former U.S. Secretary of Defense and later President of the World Bank, expressed his concept of national security in his book The Essence of Peace: "In a society moving towards modernization, security means development. Security is not just military hardware, although it may include it; security is not just military power, although it may involve it; security is not just traditional military activity, although it may contain it. Security is development, and without development, there can be no security. A developing country that does not achieve real development cannot remain secure, for a fundamental reason that cannot be overcome: its citizens cannot abandon their humanity." Since development in Sudan fundamentally depends on water security, Sudanese water security is considered a cornerstone of Sudan's national security.
The enforcement of the legal institutional framework and the establishment of the permanent commission for the Nile Basin have direct implications for Sudan's water security. Therefore, Sudan's vision on this matter should be based on complete knowledge and understanding of the following pillars:
A. The hydrology of the Nile River, specifically the hydrology of the equatorial plateau and the Ethiopian plateau.
B. The current and future water needs in the Nile Basin countries.
C. The legal aspects governing the relationship between the Nile Basin countries.
D. The prevailing geopolitical conditions in the Nile Basin.
E. The role of China in the Nile Basin.
F. The role of the Nile Basin Initiative.
G. Climate change in the Nile Basin.