Egypt offers partnership with Ethiopia on electricity projects to break stalemate in Nile dam talks
Egypt is about to start studies on an electricity linkage project with Ethiopia, against the background of faltering negotiations over Addis Ababa’s construction of a dam on the Nile River.
CAIRO — Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Ati said July 1 that Egypt is ready to provide all necessary means to link electricity with Ethiopia, and President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has tasked Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker with this plan.
Abdel Ati said in a phone call with the DMC Channel that Egypt was ready to share future development projects with Ethiopia, on condition that Addis Ababa abide by the international commitments and law.
This proposition comes after the escalation of diplomatic tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia, culminating in an urgent session at the United Nations Security Council June 29, to discuss the resumption of negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the filling process during drought and extended drought seasons.
The Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources announced July 3 the resumption of talks on the GERD among the ministers of water and irrigation of Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt. But the Egyptian ministry said the virtual meeting held under the African Union sponsorship failed to yield an agreement on both technical and legal levels.
