Ethiopia says first year of GERD filling 'achieved', agrees with Egypt and Sudan to resume negotiations

Ethiopia said on Tuesday that its first-year target for filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been reached, and that Egypt and Sudan have agreed to further technical discussions on outstanding issues as part of an African-led process.
In a statement following a mini-summit between the three countries, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that the current rainfall and runoff situation in the region have made it "conductive" to fill the dam, and that “it has become evident over the past two weeks in the rainy season that GERD first year filling is achieved and the dam under construction is already overtopping.”
The mini-summit was hosted by South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, the current head of the African Union, and saw the participation of five other African heads of state as observers.
In a separate statement, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok also said that the technical talks on the mega-dam would be resumed.
Egypt has not yet issued an official statement on the summit.
Earlier this month, virtual talks between the three countries failed to reach an agreement.
Egypt has voiced its concern over Ethiopia's failure to address rules regulating the filling and operation of the GERD during drought and dry years.
Cairo is also concerned about future projects on the Blue Nile, a main tributary of the Nile, and demands binding dispute settlement mechanisms, which Addis Ababa has refused to include in a deal.
Despite the repeated concerns of both Egypt and Sudan, Ethiopian officials, including Abiy, had stated that the GERD filling operation would start with or without an agreement.
Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 95 percent of its fresh water, fears the dam will significantly reduce the river’s flow, especially during the filling stages through periods of drought or dry years. Ethiopia, on the other hand, says the project is key to its development.

Source: ahramonline

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suspension of US aid to Ethiopia is yet another example of Trump’s disregard for Africa

Image
America’s Department of State recently suspended   $130 million worth of aid to Ethiopia because of “a lack of progress” on negotiations pertaining to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the River Nile. According to state department officials, the decision to cut aid came as a result of a direct “ guidance ” from President Donald Trump. Estimates  show that almost half of Ethiopia’s budget is linked to foreign aid. The country depends on  economic assistance  to support its infrastructure projects, health care and education expansion efforts, and security sector reforms. By suspending some aid, the United States has reopened the debate on whether developing countries should depend on foreign aid to realise their economic goals. The decision to suspend aid to Ethiopia comes after  almost 10 years of regional and international efforts  to mediate the dam dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia. Almost  60% of Ethiopians  do not have access to electricity. The renaissanc
Read more

The 9 Most Beautiful Towns and Cities in Africa

Image
The African continent is not only about impressive animals, stunning deserts and beautiful savannahs. It is also home to astonishing cities and towns that are rich in history and culture. Here are our top picks. Cape Town, South Africa Cape Town is a vibrant and colorful city with stunning beaches, beautiful mountains and some of the best vineyards in Africa. Taking the cable car ride to  the top of Table Mountain  at sunrise or sunset to take in the beautiful views is a must. With all the sophistication and activities that can be found in the city, this seaside playground certainly has enough to offer to everyone. Essaouira, Morocco With an ancient medina and lustrous fortifications that date back to the 18th century, miles of stunning beaches, and a charming harbour and fish market to stroll around,  Essaouira is one the most beautiful towns to visit  on the continent. It guarantees moments of peace and tranquility far away from the mayhem of bigger cities and the charmless all
Read more

UAE and Ethiopia discuss more avenues to enhance cooperation

Image
  Mohamed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General of Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), received at the Fund’s headquarters Suleiman Dedefo, Ambassador of Ethiopia to the UAE. Senior officials from both sides were present at the meeting. The two sides discussed bilateral relations and means of developing them, especially through the Fund’s support to the Ethiopian government to achieve sustainable development goals by financing development and investment projects. Al Suwaidi emphasised the Fund’s commitment to supporting Ethiopia in its developmental efforts, noting that the visit presented an opportunity to discuss issues of common interest. The meeting was part of the continuous coordination, particularly over the Fund’s support to the Ethiopian government to achieve its economic objectives. Dedefo expressed appreciation for the UAE, as well as ADFD, for supporting his country in its effort to achieve sustainable developmental goals and economic priorities. He pointed out that the
Read more