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Egypt issues new call for

GERD talks in February

EGYPT EGYPT has issued renewed calls for Ethiopia, Meanwhile, Diaa El-Din Al-Quassy, an
Sudan and Egypt to reach a legally binding adviser to the former Egyptian Irrigation Minis-
agreement on the filling and operations of the ter, said that talks could begin in February.
6,500-MW Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam “Before the current internal crisis, they were
(GERD) after a year of deadlock. talking in Ethiopia about the start of generating
Alaa Al-Zawahiri, a member of Egypt’s electricity from the dam next February, but after
GERD Negotiating Committee, said that “Egypt the current conflict, we do not know whether
always welcomes any steps or statements related they can stick to that plan. It depends on how the
to resolving the controversial points about the war will end, as no voice can rise above the voice
GERD,” noting that he believes that negotiations of battle,” he said.
were suspended due to the internal events of the The political crisis in Sudan also prevents any
countries of Ethiopia and Sudan, Daily News meaningful progress.
Egypt reported. Al-Quassy explained that “the instability of
The outbreak of civil war in Ethiopia and ten- Sudan certainly affects the issue of the dam, as
sions in Sudan have led to the sidelining of the the Sudanese leadership is now busy searching
GERD dispute between the three countries. for a political solution to the country’s crisis, and
At the same time, the three countries have I do not imagine that there will be important
failed to make any progress in talks, despite calls decisions regarding the GERD soon.”
for progress from the US, the African Union and The UN is concerned that the GERD could
the Arab League. add to regional instability. The armed conflict
Al-Zawahiri said that the most important between the Tigray people and Ethiopian gov-
thing in the next stage is to sit at the negotiating ernment has caused thousands of deaths and
table and come up with positive results repre- the displacement of 2mn individuals, including
sented in signing an agreement that is binding 50,000 who have fled to Sudan. That is in addi-
for all parties during periods of drought to serve tion to putting 400,000 at the risk of famine.
the development efforts of Ethiopia and not Egypt and 10 other downstream countries
harm downstream countries. share the Nile basin, yet more than 85% of its
He noted in his statements that “so far, no share comes from the Blue Nile tributary in
country has not received an official invitation Ethiopia.
to resume negotiations as recommended by the For nearly a decade, the African Union-spon-
security council” and that “Egypt’s demands are sored talks between Cairo, Addis Ababa and
clear and known to everyone, whether medi- Khartoum over the dam’s operation and filling
ators or the international community or any have faltered.
other parties, and they are certainly legitimate The $5bn project has been fully funded by
demands.” Ethiopian capital and will be the largest project
Al-Zawahiri’s comment come after a recent in Africa at 6,500 MW.
statement by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa The Ethiopian government has said it is close
Madbouly that affirmed Egypt keenness to reach to holding an opening ceremony for the first two
a legally binding agreement. 350-MW turbines at the GERD hydropower
At the start of February, President Abdel-Fat- plant (HPP). At the start of January, Ethiopia
tah Al-Sisi emphasised that Cairo had the began tests at the first two 350-MW units at the
political will in reach an agreement that would site.™
enhance regional security and stability.

Week 06 10•February•2022 www. NEWSBASE .com P9