South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislative Assembly on Tuesday unanimously adopted the 2025 Regional Innovation Report of the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Stakeholder Forum, calling for enhanced cooperation among Nile Basin nations to address climate resilience and shared water management.
The report, produced under the Eastern Nile Technical Regional Office (ENTRO), was presented during a forum in Nairobi, Kenya. It emphasized the need to reduce historical mistrust among Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Egypt—countries that rely on the Eastern Nile River system.
Luka Peter Uget Dari, a member of the parliamentary Committee on Water Resources and Irrigation, told lawmakers the report stressed the importance of dialogue and joint efforts to sustainably manage the Nile’s resources.
It also proposed flexible financial mechanisms for nations struggling to meet funding obligations, aiming to maintain inclusivity.
“The forum encouraged discussions on financial challenges, recognizing the interconnected political, economic and capacity issues within the basin,” Dari said.
He noted that while Ethiopia has consistently met its financial commitments, South Sudan has repeatedly failed to pay its share. Sudan, facing political instability, has also struggled, and Egypt has withdrawn from some financial obligations.
The report urged unified water management, describing it as a shared responsibility critical for regional stability. It also recommended joint projects and a monitoring system to track cooperation progress.
Opposition lawmaker Bol Joseph Agau acknowledged the committee’s work but raised concerns over South Sudan’s repeated failure to fulfill financial commitments to international bodies.
“South Sudan joins these forums but often fails to pay, which brings shame to the country,” Agau said. “Where is the money collected in this country going?”
Speaker Jemma Nunu Kumba confirmed the report’s passage after lawmakers approved a motion to end debate.