River Nile: Egypt, Ethiopia And Sudan Agree On Dam Deal - Liberty TV/Radio - News - Voice For All! Vision For Alll!
Publisher (F.BA)
January 16, 2020
Egypt,Ethiopia and Sudan have reached an initial settlement on the filling andoperation of a mega dam being built on the River Nile.
Ajoint statement by the three countries, along with the US and the World Bank,says negotiators had agreed to fill the reservoir of the Grand EthiopiaRenaissance Dam during the rainy season between the months of July and August.
Ithowever makes no discussion on the crux of the dispute, which is the speed withwhich to fill up the dam.
Ethiopiawants to do it in six years, but Egypt has proposed at least a 10-year period,fearing that a shorter span will affect the downstream flow of the River Nile,which it relies on for 90% of its water.
Afinal deal will be signed on 28-29 January, when Ministers from the threecountries meet again in Washington.
Thepreliminary agreement, which was brokered by US Treasury Secretary and theWorld Bank President, takes into consideration Ethiopia’s needs for startingearly generation of electricity, but also outlines mitigation measures forEgypt and Sudan in case of prolonged drought periods in the downstreamcountries.