In a joint statement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi have agreed to initiate urgent negotiations aimed at reaching a consensus among Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. The negotiations are scheduled to be completed within four months.
Ever since Ethiopia commenced the construction of the monumental $4.2-billion GERD project in 2011, Egypt has expressed concerns about the potential impact on its share of Nile water. However, the two countries have recently decided to engage in dialogue to explore ways in which they can mutually benefit from the region's natural resource.
According to a joint statement released by the Egyptian president, the leaders of both nations have grown weary of the deadlock and are now willing to seek a harmonious resolution. The statement emphasizes their discussions in Cairo on Thursday, where they explored methods to overcome the current impasse in dam negotiations.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of an African summit involving neighbouring countries of Sudan, which has been grappling with internal conflict for nearly three months. The dam's filling and operation have been the subject of lengthy deliberations since 2011, without a conclusive agreement being reached between Ethiopia and its downstream neighbors.
Egypt heavily relies on the Nile for 97% of its water needs and has perceived the dam's construction as a threat to its existence. Nonetheless, the dam holds immense importance for Ethiopia's economic goals, and in February 2022, Addis Ababa announced the commencement of hydroelectric power production for the first time.