Great dam of the Nile: a preliminary agreement concluded between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan on the road to consensus on the Great Renaissance Dam on the Nile, which has fueled tensions between the three countries for several years. Meeting in Washington for three days, these countries have reached a preliminary agreement which defines the conditions for finalizing the dam.

As has been the case since the start of these negotiations, in which the World Bank and the United States have participated as observers, it is the question of filling the dam that crystallizes the wishes. And on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan agreed that irrigation of the dam should be done in stages during the rainy season, which generally extends from July to August. No indication however on the period required for filling.

Barely a week ago, in the fourth and final phase of negotiations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia demanded 12 years, while Egypt wanted 21.

For years, these two countries have struggled to reach an agreement on the use of the waters of the Nile which extend across Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. Addis Ababa estimates that its large Renaissance dam, which is estimated to cost $ 5 billion to build, should provide electricity to its roughly 100 million people and boost its economy. In Cairo, it is the drought of this river, crucial for agriculture that worries the authorities.

This week’s discussions therefore aimed to develop rules and guidelines that would alleviate drought conditions based on the natural flow of the Nile. « The ministers agree that there is a shared responsibility of the three countries in the management of drought and prolonged drought, » the officials said in their joint statement.

The three countries still have to agree on definitive measures relating to the operation of the dam before reaching a final agreement. They are expected to meet again in Washington from February 28 to 29 for the conclusions of the negotiations.

In the event of a final non-agreement, tensions could escalate, particularly between Egypt and Ethiopia, which have no hesitation in raising the possibility of military force if no agreement is reached.