Progress made in Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan dam row despite delays

ADDIS ABABA - Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia are still deadlocked over the dam, despite urging from U.S. President Donald Trump that parties reach a “mutually beneficial agreement.”

For years now, the three nations have been at loggerheads over Ethiopia's ongoing construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam along the Blue Nile.

The $5 billion hydroelectric projects, Egypt argued, would substantially deplete water in the Nile, whose supplies support 90 percent of the country.

For Ethiopia, the project would increase power supply given the projected ability to generate 6,000MW, a key aspect in her economy.

Joint statement by the parties

But after three days of talks in Washington DC, the three nations reached a preliminary agreement on Wednesday, although the final resolutions are expected end month.

A joint statement released by U.S. Treasury noted the “progress achieved” and the joint “commitment to reach a comprehensive, cooperative, adaptive, sustainable and mutually beneficial agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.”

The parties have agreed that the filling of the dam will be “executed in stages” during the wet season, in a manner that will take into account “the potential impact of the filling on downstream reservoirs,” according to the statement.

Initially, Ethiopia had demanded to fill the dam annually, a suggestion that was fiercely contested by Cairo and Khartoum.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had warned that his people were ready for the war to protect their interests within the Nike.

Foreign and Water ministers from the three African states met during the three days dialogue in the US, FANA reported.

They "reaffirmed the importance of transboundary cooperation in the development of the Blue Nile to improve the lives of the people of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, and their shared commitment to concluding an agreement," it said.

President Trump's factor

Even as the three nations finalize on the agreement, the US and World Bank have played an indispensable role in brokering the truce.

Donald Trump, the US president, has been keen on the dispute, dispatching his Treasury team to negotiate for a sustainable agreement.

“United States support for a cooperative, sustainable and mutually beneficial agreement among the parties.”

Trump took interest in the dam in September after Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi asked him to mediate the conflict.

He appointed Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to be the point of contact in the matter.

Besides taking part in the November meeting, the US president also hosted the ministers at White House on Tuesday for further talks.

Ahmed's trust in the dam

To underscore the importance of the dam to the Ethiopian economy, Mr. Ahmed has been holding shuttle diplomatic meetings to defend his stand.

Last week, Ahmed visited South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa, who is the incoming chairman of the African Union to discuss the stalemate.

"Ethiopia always believes in a win-win approach with Egypt and Sudan," Abiy said on a visit to South Africa, adding that peace was essential to "realize our vision of development and growth."

Grand Renaissance Dam could help Abiy Ahmed get easily re-elected in August as he steers economic and political revolution in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE