For thousands of years, the Nile has been the backbone of civilizations and a source of conflict.
The latest dispute is over Ethiopia’s Great Renaissance Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam project in Africa.
The Ethiopian government says its $ 4 billion project on the Blue Nile will provide power to its more than 100 million citizens and create enormous opportunities for its economy.
He wants to start filling the dam reservoir in July when the rainy season begins.
But Sudan and Egypt downstream first want a legally binding agreement on how long it will take to fill the dam and how it will be operated. The African Union is mediating and the Ethiopian government says the parties could finalize an agreement within two to three weeks.
Can you find a way to bridge your differences?
Presenter: Imran Khan
Guests:
Gedion Asfaw – head of the technical committee of the Negotiation Delegation of Ethiopia
Osman El-Tom – former Sudanese minister for water resources and irrigation
Mac Sharkawy – political writer and researcher on Egyptian affairs
Source: Al Jazeera
