Sudan’s de facto leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has announced that both Khartoum and Addis Ababa are in agreement regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile dam, which has caused tension between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt. This statement was made during Burhan’s meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who visited Khartoum on Thursday, January 26th.
The GERD, which has been a source of concern since its construction began in 2011, has been a subject of multiple failed negotiations between the three governments. In the meeting, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed confirmed that the dam will not harm Sudan but will bring benefits in terms of electricity.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a hydroelectric dam being built on the Blue Nile river in Ethiopia. It has the potential to become one of the largest dams in Africa and is seen as a symbol of Ethiopia’s economic progress and independence. However, the Nile dam has also been a source of tension between Ethiopia and downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan, since its construction began in 2011.
The Blue Nile is a vital source of irrigation and drinking water for Egypt, and the GERD has raised concerns over the potential impacts it could have on the flow of the Nile. Egypt is dependent on the Nile for its water supply and the Blue Nile accounts for over 80% of its flow. As a result, Egypt has long expressed concerns about the GERD and its potential to reduce the flow of water to its country.
Multiple rounds of talks between the three governments have failed to produce an agreement over the filling and operation of the GERD’s reservoir. While Ethiopia views the dam as a source of pride and a necessary source of electricity, Egypt and Sudan have been more cautious, concerned about the potential impacts on their water supply.
In recent years, however, there have been signs of progress towards a resolution. In 2019, the leaders of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan signed an agreement to launch negotiations, and in 2020, the three countries agreed to an initial filling plan. Despite these positive developments, tensions over the GERD continue to simmer, and the future of the dam remains uncertain.
According to a statement by the sovereign council, chaired by Burhan, both Sudan and Ethiopia are aligned and in agreement on all issues related to the GERD. The Blue Nile accounts for over 80% of the Nile’s flow, a vital source of irrigation and drinking water for Egypt.
This recent development in the ongoing debate over the GERD serves as a significant step towards resolving the tensions between the three countries.
Image Credit: AP Photo/Marwan Ali
