Nile Politics: From Conflict to Mutual Benefit, the Opinion of Ethiopian Journalists
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Date
2012-10
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Kampala International University, masters degree In Conflict Resolution And Peace- Building
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.
Description
A Thesis Presented The College Of Higher Degrees And Research Kampala International University Kampala, Uganda In Partial Fulfillment Of The Requirements For The Degree Masters In Conflict Resolution And Peace- Building
Keywords
Conflict to Mutual Benefit, Opinion of Ethiopian Journalists