The objectives of the study are to: (1) Critically analyse the 1959 Nile River agreements from a human rights perspective (2) examine the applicability of international human rights law in water distribution and use and (3) investigating how human rights norms and principles can be used, if at all, as a means of solving water conflicts over the use of trans-boundary rivers. The study adopts a human rights approach in its consideration of the problem of conflicts that may arise in connection with the use of trans-boundary rivers. It is particularly significant as it seeks to explore the solution from the human rights of the people in the riparian countries. It is believed that the study will contribute to the development of basin-wide cooperation among riparians by being employed in negotiations and planning of projects. / Thesis (LLM (Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa))--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Law University of Pretoria, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Law (LLM in Human Rights and Democratisation in Africa). Prepared under the supervision of Dr Raymond A. Atuguba of the Faculty of Law, University of Ghana Legon, Accra, Ghana / http://www.chr.up.ac.za/ / Centre for Human Rights / LLM

This thesis is an inquiry regarding the interconnections between water scarcity, geopolitics, resource management, and the strategies for developing effective ways to resolve conflict and encourage sustainable water resource use in developing countries. The ecological services of trans-boundary rivers are explored in conjunction with the potential impacts to freshwater availability due to economic modernization, water resource development, and decision making regimes that determine how water is allocated among competing users. Anthropogenic stressors that induce water scarcity and the geopolitical mechanisms of conflict are studied. A discourse on the creation and functional extent of global and localized water ethics is investigated, emphasizing the importance of perceptual dispositions of water users in understanding the value of trans-boundary river basins.