Will Egypt-Ethiopia-Sudan Diplomacy Placate Other Nile Countries?
Publisher: Institute for Security Studies
Author(s): Duncan E. Omondi Gumba
Date: 2018
Topics: Conflict Causes, Cooperation, Renewable Resources
Countries: Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan
Leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan met this week to restore cordial relations on the Nile River water after weeks of frosty ties between Egypt and Sudan. Tensions have simmered between the two for decades, and the meeting on the sidelines of the African Union (AU) summit in Addis Ababa sought to restore normalcy. ‘Trilateral issues of mutual interest’ were discussed, including ways of resolving the impasse over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project.
The three countries have for years tried to agree on how the Nile water will be shared once the dam’s construction is completed later this year. However, questions linger about the unresolved issues that the tension has brought to the surface – specifically regarding a formula for sustainably sharing the water of the 6 650 km-long Nile River among the 11 riparian countries.