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Sudan has rejected an Ethiopian proposal to sign a partial agreement for the first fill of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, throwing the line on the Nile River into further uncertainty.
Sudanese Prime Minister Abadalla Hamdok called for a tripartite agreement between Khartoum, Addis Ababa and Cairo, before the start of the first filling of the Renaissance dam, which is expected in July.
Sudan’s position means that there can be no agreement that can set aside Egypt, the country that most needs the waters of the Nile.
Sudan emphasized that the signing of any partial agreement for the first stage cannot be agreed due to the technical and legal aspects that must be included in the agreement, including the coordination mechanism, data exchange, dam security and environmental impacts. and social.
The Sudanese Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources said that Dr. Hamdok, in his response to the letter from Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, “emphasized that the way to reach a comprehensive agreement is the immediate resumption of negotiations, which they have made great progress over the past four years. ” months. “
Hamdok argued that current conditions may not allow negotiations through regular diplomatic channels, but can be resumed through videoconferencing and other technologies to complete the negotiation process and agree on the remaining points.
Saleh Hamad, the leader of the Sudanese negotiating team, said the most important issues to be resolved will include a coordination mechanism on water fill, data exchange on river levels, dam safety and impacts. environmental and social, “closely related, not only for the first filling but for all stages of filling and long-term operation, and therefore cannot be divided”.
Hamad revealed that Khartoum is moving forward to resume the negotiation process by referring to the Washington track that dealt with approximately 90 percent of the points of disagreement.
He was referring to a series of meetings organized by the United States Treasury and supported by the World Bank.
Ethiopia declined to sign, or even send a representative, at the last such meeting in March, in which the United States had proposed a deal. Since then, Cairo has been initialed in the document, which in diplomatic language means the end of negotiations.
Ethiopia has argued with Egypt and Sudan since it began building the $ 4.5 billion dam on the Blue Nile, the main tributary of the Nile originating in the Ethiopian highlands.
The dam known as the Great Dam of the Renaissance [GERD]Ethiopia argues that it could be the largest source of energy in Africa estimated to produce around 6GW when it is fully operational.
But filling its reservoir, Cairo claims, would damage its only water supply. Cairo proposed a gradual filling of that reservoir to last up to 15 years, something Addis has opposed.
In turn, Ethiopians say the dam would produce enough energy for the country and its neighbors, including Egypt; ending any perennial shortages on the eastern side of the continent.
As the clock ticks toward July, Addis will be seen filling the dam. Officials there said the program will start independently of an agreement with the riparian countries.
