Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia have once again embarked on negotiations concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in an effort to reach a comprehensive agreement, though numerous obstacles continue to hinder their progress.
The recent round of discussions commenced on Sunday in Cairo, bringing together delegations from all three nations. Egypt, in particular, is advocating for a legally binding accord that outlines the operational and filling procedures of the mega-dam, as disclosed by Egypt’s State Information Service.
During the discussions, the parties engaged in constructive dialogues aimed at achieving a mutually beneficial resolution.
It was further agreed upon that Ethiopia will host the forthcoming round of negotiations scheduled for September 2023 in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopia has expressed its determination to conclude these trilateral talks based on the principles of equitable and reasonable water usage, while simultaneously ensuring its rightful share of the Nile’s waters.
The ongoing negotiations regarding the GERD resumed on August 27, 2023, in Cairo, with the Head of the Ethiopian negotiation team underlining the substantial advantages of the dam for both Sudan and Egypt.
The construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, situated on the Blue Nile river near the Sudanese border, commenced its filling phase in the summer of 2020.
This hydroelectric project is anticipated to provide electricity for Ethiopia’s populace and contribute to the nation’s overall development and poverty alleviation.
As of 2022, a mere 44% of Ethiopians had access to electricity, according to data from the US International Trade Administration.
Nevertheless, Egypt and Sudan, downstream states that heavily depend on the Nile’s waters, harbor concerns that Ethiopia’s unilateral filling of the dam could lead to a significant reduction in the water levels of the Nile River and its tributaries within their territories, particularly during periods of drought. The Nile’s significance cannot be overstated, with Egypt relying on it for over 90% of its water supply.
The negotiations on the GERD have experienced multiple interruptions spanning over a decade. Despite mediation efforts by entities such as the United States and the African Union (AU), a final agreement has remained elusive. The AU’s most recent attempt at direct negotiations on the dam took place in 2021.
Ethiopia declared in March that construction of the dam was 90% complete, with the nation subsequently initiating its fourth filling of the reservoir during the annual rainy season in July. Furthermore, Ethiopia reported successful electricity production from the dam in the previous year.
By xamse
August 29, 2023
