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ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) – The East African bloc, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), on Sunday urged dialogue and compromise to reach a solution regarding a hydroelectric dam Ethiopia is building.
The mega hydroelectric dam called the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam (GERD), currently under construction on the Blue Nile River, is a major tributary of the world’s longest Nile River that flows into the two lower riparian countries, Sudan and Egypt.
“IGAD Executive Secretary Workneh Gebeyehu encourages dialogue and commitment to achieve a solution to the GERD negotiations between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt,” said an IGAD press release.
“Negotiating a deal to pave the way to a win-win deal is the only solution for all,” the press release further said.
The IGAD statement urged all parties involved in the GERD negotiations to stay away from any measures that could contribute to exacerbating tensions.
The GERD, which started in April 2011, will be considered the largest dam in Africa upon completion. The dam has been a major problem between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.
“The region cannot afford tensions and we must stay away from anything that contributes to building them between neighboring countries that share history and are united by a common destiny,” said the IGAD Executive Secretary.
“IGAD is confident in the process led by the African Union to achieve a solution acceptable to Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt,” said the Executive Secretary.
In July, Ethiopia announced that the first year of filling the dam would be under construction on the Blue Nile River.
Egypt, a country downstream of the Nile Basin, has frequently expressed concern that Ethiopia’s mega-dam could affect its share of the river’s water, while Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly promised that the dam would It will not harm Egypt or Sudan, saying that the dam project “would ensure fair and reasonable use” of the river’s waters between the three countries concerned. Final product
