This photo taken on April 2, 2018, shows a mega dam in Guba, Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
The Ethiopian government has reaffirmed its commitment to seeking a negotiated resolution in the ongoing tripartite negotiations with Egypt and Sudan concerning the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has reaffirmed its commitment to seeking a negotiated resolution in the ongoing tripartite negotiations with Egypt and Sudan concerning the disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement issued late Monday that the third round of talks, focusing on the rules and guidelines for the filling and annual operation of the GERD, commenced in Cairo, the capital of Egypt.
The ministry emphasized Ethiopia's commitment to achieving a negotiated solution through these trilateral discussions, noting that Ethiopia's positive outlook for the negotiations is grounded in the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles.
A security officer beefs up security at a mega dam site in Guba, Ethiopia, April 2, 2018. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde)
This latest round of negotiations follows Ethiopia's announcement in September of the completion of the fourth and final filling of the GERD's reservoir. The initial filling in 2020 raised concerns in Egypt and Sudan, leading to the suspension of tripartite negotiations in 2021.
Ethiopia initiated the construction of the GERD on the Nile River in 2011 and anticipates it will have over 6,000 megawatts of installed capacity upon completion. The project, however, has been a major source of dispute among the three countries bordering the Nile. In February 2022, Ethiopia reported that the dam had begun generating electricity.
Ethiopia reiterates that the dam will play a crucial role in its development goals and its pursuit of middle-income status. Meanwhile, Egypt and Sudan consistently express concerns about the dam's potential impact on their water share from the Nile.
According to the ministry, these negotiations are part of a broader effort by the three countries to strengthen their partnerships. The three nations share the responsibility of ensuring the equitable and rational utilization of the Nile River.
The ministry said that the tripartite negotiations on the dam offer an opportunity for the three countries to collaborate and find innovative solutions that address the interests of all parties. ■
