The latest round of talks addressing the ongoing conflict related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River concluded in Cairo, with the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation reporting that no tangible outcomes were achieved.
Negotiations, which had been stalled for some time, resumed among Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan in the Egyptian capital. The primary objective of these talks was to establish an agreement on the regulations for the GERD’s filling and operation, as outlined in a statement from the Ministry.
Despite the renewed discussions, there was no notable change observed in Ethiopia’s positions, according to the Ministry. Egypt remains committed to seeking a binding legal agreement that safeguards its water security interests while ensuring mutual benefits for all three countries.
The Ministry highlighted the significance of adopting a comprehensive approach by all parties, aiming to yield positive progress in the subsequent negotiation rounds.
Ethiopia began filling the dam in 2020, despite objections from Egypt and Sudan, leading to the suspension of tripartite negotiations in 2021. Ethiopia announced in July that the fourth phase of dam filling would extend until September, asserting that downstream countries would not face negative consequences.
Construction of the GERD commenced in 2011, with Ethiopia anticipating that this large hydropower project will generate over 6,000 megawatts of electricity. However, concerns from Egypt and Sudan revolve around potential reductions in their respective Nile water allocations.
