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Tug of war continues in Nile dam dispute

The crisis of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia is building along the Blue Nile, has sparked the concern of Egypt and Sudan, as mediation efforts led by the African Union to reach an agreement are on the brink of faltering, just like previous efforts.
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The United Nations Security Council reviewed on June 29 the developments of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Ethiopia is building along the Blue Nile, after a decade of deadlock in negotiations. During the meeting that was held via videoconference upon Egypt’s request, the council members called on Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to engage in negotiations to reach an understanding under the African Union (AU) brokerage.

Egypt had asked the Security Council on June 20 to intervene to resume talks over the GERD dispute. Shortly after, on June 25, Sudan addressed a letter to the council in line with the Egyptian stance. The two countries complained about Ethiopia’s unilateral decision-making, including its intention to start filling the dam reservoir before an agreement is reached.

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