Sudan And Ethiopia Reach A Deal On Controversial Nile Dam
Sudan and Ethiopia have reached an agreement on the controversial grand Ethiopian renaissance dam built by Ethiopia on the disputed River Nile.
Sudan’s military leader confirm that Sudan and Ethiopia are in agreement on all matters regarding the mega hydro electric dam.
Speaking when he met visiting Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed in Khartoum on Thursday, general Abdel Fattah Al-burhan stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations between Sudan and Ethiopia.
Mr Abiy said that the Nile dam would “not harm Sudan’s interests but rather will benefit Sudan in the electricity sector”.
On 11 January, Sudanese and Egyptian foreign ministers agreed to “continue consultations” regarding the Ethiopian dam.
Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have been embroiled in a long dispute over the dam, which Sudan and Egypt fear would reduce their shares of water from the River Nile.
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According to the minister, a new meeting will be held within one month between the three countries to continue their talks on the dam.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, for his part, reiterated his country’s commitment to the declaration of principles signed between the three countries.
‘We have held discussions in full faith with a view to reaching understandings that lead to achieving the common good and meeting the needs of all parties,’ he said.
The multi-billion-dollar dam project has been at the center of a diplomatic row between Cairo and Addis Ababa.
While Ethiopia views the dam as a prerequisite for its economic development, Egypt fears the project could lead to a marked reduction in its traditional share of Nile water.
A main point of disagreement between Cairo and Addis Ababa is the latter’s plans to store water behind the dam. Ethiopia plans to store water behind the dam during the next five years, but Egypt has been pushing for delaying this move until the technical studies on the dam’s effects are completed.
