Ethiopia said on Sunday (September 10) that it has filled the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile. The dam has been topic of dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.

The announcement from Ethiopia has come just a fortnight after the countries restarted negotiations after a long break. The negotiations are on an agreement over the Nile water that takes into account water needs of all three countries.

Sudan and Egypt fear that the huge USD 4.2 billion dam will drastically reduce their share of water. Both countries have repeatedly asked Ethiopia to stop filling the dam until the three countries reach agreement.

"It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Renaissance Dam," Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on X, formerly Twitter.&nbsp;

"There was a lot of challenge. We were many times dragged to go backwards. We had an internal challenge and external pressure. We've reached (this stage) by coping together with God," Abiy said. &nbsp;

"I believe that we will finish what we have planned next," he said. &nbsp;

The communication service of the government said on X that the dam, which is the largest dam in Africa, was "a gift to generations”.

"Today's heroic generation will build tomorrow's strong Ethiopia on a solid foundation," it continued. &nbsp;

The huge hydroelectric dam is 1.8 kilometres long and 145 metres high. At full capacity, the dam could generate more than 5000 megawatts.

This would result in doubling of Ethiopia's electricity production. Currently, only half of Ethiopia's population has access to electricity.

There was no immediate reaction from Egypt and Sudan on Ethiopia's announcement.

Ethiopia broke ground on the project in 2011. The dam has been at the centre of regional dispute.

Negotiations between the three countries were in a stalemate for nearly two and a half years. The talks resumed in Cairo on August 27. The talks aim to reach an agreement "takes into account the interests and concerns of the three countries", Egyptian Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam said at the time.&nbsp;

He called for "an end to unilateral measures".&nbsp;

Egypt is already facing water scarcity. The country views Ethiopia's dam as an existential threat since Egypt relies on Nile for 97 per cent of its water needs.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Ethiopia said on Sunday (September 10) that it has filled the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile. The dam has been topic of dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.

Ethiopia said on Sunday (September 10) that it has filled the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile. The dam has been topic of dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan. The announcement from Ethiopia has come just a fortnight after the countries restarted negotiations after a long break. The negotiations are on an agreement over the Nile water that takes into account water needs of all three countries. Sudan and Egypt fear that the huge USD 4.2 billion dam will drastically reduce their share of water. Both countries have repeatedly asked Ethiopia to stop filling the dam until the three countries reach agreement. "It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Renaissance Dam," Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on X, formerly Twitter. "There was a lot of challenge. We were many times dragged to go backwards. We had an internal challenge and external pressure. We've reached (this stage) by coping together with God," Abiy said. "I believe that we will finish what we have planned next," he said. The communication service of the government said on X that the dam, which is the largest dam in Africa, was "a gift to generations”. "Today's heroic generation will build tomorrow's strong Ethiopia on a solid foundation," it continued. The huge hydroelectric dam is 1.8 kilometres long and 145 metres high. At full capacity, the dam could generate more than 5000 megawatts. This would result in doubling of Ethiopia's electricity production. Currently, only half of Ethiopia's population has access to electricity. There was no immediate reaction from Egypt and Sudan on Ethiopia's announcement. Ethiopia broke ground on the project in 2011. The dam has been at the centre of regional dispute. Negotiations between the three countries were in a stalemate for nearly two and a half years. The talks resumed in Cairo on August 27. The talks aim to reach an agreement "takes into account the interests and concerns of the three countries", Egyptian Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam said at the time. He called for "an end to unilateral measures". Egypt is already facing water scarcity. The country views Ethiopia's dam as an existential threat since Egypt relies on Nile for 97 per cent of its water needs. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Ethiopia announces completion of filling of disputed Nile dam

Nobel Laureate Abiy Ahmed is getting isolated - both at home and abroad. He is being criticised for intensifying the civil war in Ethiopia. Now, his government has been accused of transporting weapons for the war in civilian aircraft. WION's Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: Is Nobel Laureate Abiy Ahmed now a global pariah?

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday gave an ultimatum of 72 hours to dissident leaders in the northern region of Tigray to surrender, warning this is the "last opportunity". &nbsp;

"Your journey of destruction is coming to an end, and we urge you to surrender peacefully within the next 72 hours, recognising you are at a point of no return," the prime minister said in a statement, as quoted by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopian-government-troops-push-towards-tigray-capital-rebuff-mediation-344553">Ethiopian government troops push towards Tigray capital, rebuff mediation</a>

"Take this last opportunity."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-violence-has-put-23-million-children-in-crisis-unicef-344285">Ethiopia violence has put 2.3 million children in crisis: UNICEF</a>

Abiy started the military operation against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 4.

Hundreds of people have been killed in the attacks via bombing, aerial combat and ground fighting, but, it's difficult to estimate which side received more damage due to a communications blackout.&nbsp;

Abiy also told the TPLF forces to "surrender peacefully" and urged the people of Tigray's capital Mekele to back the army "in bringing this treasonous group to justice"&nbsp;

Earlier today, the nation's army had threatened that it would besiege the city and warned civilians to escape before the conditions worsened.&nbsp;

The conflict has already led to hundreds of thousands fled to neighbouring Sudan.&nbsp;

The government accuses the Tigrayan rebels of revolting against central authority by attacking federal troops in the town of Dansha on Nov 4.

The rebels claim that Abiy government has marginalised Tigrayans after coming to power two years ago, excluding them from major roles in government and the military and detaining several on rights abuse and corruption charges.

 
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Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday gave an ultimatum of 72 hours to dissident leaders in the northern region of Tigray to surrender, warning this is the "last opportunity".

Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday gave an ultimatum of 72 hours to dissident leaders in the northern region of Tigray to surrender, warning this is the "last opportunity". "Your journey of destruction is coming to an end, and we urge you to surrender peacefully within the next 72 hours, recognising you are at a point of no return," the prime minister said in a statement, as quoted by news agency AFP. Also read | Ethiopian government troops push towards Tigray capital, rebuff mediation "Take this last opportunity." Also read | Ethiopia violence has put 2.3 million children in crisis: UNICEF Abiy started the military operation against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 4. Hundreds of people have been killed in the attacks via bombing, aerial combat and ground fighting, but, it's difficult to estimate which side received more damage due to a communications blackout. Abiy also told the TPLF forces to "surrender peacefully" and urged the people of Tigray's capital Mekele to back the army "in bringing this treasonous group to justice" Earlier today, the nation's army had threatened that it would besiege the city and warned civilians to escape before the conditions worsened. The conflict has already led to hundreds of thousands fled to neighbouring Sudan. The government accuses the Tigrayan rebels of revolting against central authority by attacking federal troops in the town of Dansha on Nov 4. The rebels claim that Abiy government has marginalised Tigrayans after coming to power two years ago, excluding them from major roles in government and the military and detaining several on rights abuse and corruption charges.

'Last opportunity': Ethiopian PM gives 72-hours ultimatum to Tigray rebels

Meet the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Abiy Ahmed Ali

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was&nbsp;awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his "efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation".

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BREAKING NEWS: 
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPrize</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPeacePrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPeacePrize</a> <a href="https://t.co/uGRpZJHk1B">pic.twitter.com/uGRpZJHk1B</a>
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"The Nobel Committee has decided to&nbsp;award the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize to Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea," it said.

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Watch the very moment the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize is announced. 
 
Presented by Berit Reiss-Andersen, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPrize</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NobelPeacePrize?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NobelPeacePrize</a> <a href="https://t.co/EIATBAMVp7">pic.twitter.com/EIATBAMVp7</a>
— The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) <a href="https://twitter.com/NobelPrize/status/1182584229412163584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 11, 2019</a></blockquote>
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"The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the east and northeast African regions," the Nobel Committee said in a statement, adding,"when Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in April 2018, he made it clear that he wished to resume peace talks with Eritrea."&nbsp;

"In close cooperation with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea, Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles of a peace agreement to end the long “no peace, no war” stalemate" between the two countries."&nbsp;

"These principles are set out in the declarations that Prime Minister Abiy and President Afwerki signed in Asmara and Jeddah last July and September. An important premise for the breakthrough was Abiy Ahmed’s unconditional willingness to accept the arbitration ruling of an international boundary commission in 2002," the Nobel Committee said in a statement. 
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Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his "efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation". BREAKING NEWS: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for his "efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation". BREAKING NEWS: The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2019 to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.#NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize pic.twitter.com/uGRpZJHk1B — The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 11, 2019 × "The Nobel Committee has decided to award the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize to Abiy Ahmed Ali for his efforts to achieve peace and international cooperation and in particular for his decisive initiative to resolve the border conflict with neighbouring Eritrea," it said. Watch the very moment the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize is announced. Presented by Berit Reiss-Andersen, Chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.#NobelPrize #NobelPeacePrize pic.twitter.com/EIATBAMVp7 — The Nobel Prize (@NobelPrize) October 11, 2019 × "The prize is also meant to recognise all the stakeholders working for peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia and in the east and northeast African regions," the Nobel Committee said in a statement, adding,"when Abiy Ahmed became Prime Minister in April 2018, he made it clear that he wished to resume peace talks with Eritrea." "In close cooperation with Isaias Afwerki, the President of Eritrea, Abiy Ahmed quickly worked out the principles of a peace agreement to end the long “no peace, no war” stalemate" between the two countries." "These principles are set out in the declarations that Prime Minister Abiy and President Afwerki signed in Asmara and Jeddah last July and September. An important premise for the breakthrough was Abiy Ahmed’s unconditional willingness to accept the arbitration ruling of an international boundary commission in 2002," the Nobel Committee said in a statement.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali awarded Nobel Peace Prize

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Ethiopia announces completion of filling of disputed Nile dam

Gravitas: Is Nobel Laureate Abiy Ahmed now a global pariah?

'Last opportunity': Ethiopian PM gives 72-hours ultimatum to Tigray rebels

Meet the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Abiy Ahmed Ali

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali awarded Nobel Peace Prize