(4 minutes read)
· The dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), is now on the table at the U.N. S.C
· Recently, Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry urged the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution to resolve the dispute over the hydroelectric dam, pleading that the construction of the dam endangers the lives of 150 million Egyptians and Sudanese
The dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), is now on the table at the U.N. Security Council at the request of Egypt and supported by the United States.
Recently, Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry urged the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution to resolve the dispute over the hydroelectric dam. He pleaded that the construction of the dam endangers the lives of 150 million Egyptians and Sudanese. Egyptian sources pointed out that the draft resolution is in line with the outcome of an African Union summit held recently where the leaders of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia agreed to return to talks aimed at reaching an agreement.
As reported by www.trendsnafrica.com, the GERD, when completed will become Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, has been a source of tension in the Nile basin. Ethiopia started construction of the dam a decade back. Since then, the project is mired in controversies and disputes.
Ethiopia says that the United Nations Security Council does not have any jurisdiction over the project, since it is merely a development one and not infringing the sovereignty of any country. Addis Ababa decided to start filling the reservoir in July. In the meantime, Cairo sees the renaissance dam as a threat to international security, while
Sudan fears its negative impact on its population. The Nile supply both water and electricity to the 10 countries through their territories the river passes through.
