Egypt has voiced its anger after Ethiopia declared the completion of the final filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile river.&nbsp;

The announcement has rekindled a long-standing dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over the hydroelectric dam project, which dates back to its launch in 2011.&nbsp;

<h2>What Egypt said</h2>

Egypt, which heavily relies on&nbsp;the Nile for its various water needs, said that Ethiopia was disregarding the interests of downstream nations.

However, Ethiopia asserts that the $4.2 billion GERD will not cut the downstream countries' share of Nile water.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/world-bank-to-redefine-vision-to-progress-towards-a-livable-planet-ajay-banga-634725">World Bank to redefine vision to progress towards a ‘livable planet’: Ajay Banga</a>

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, announced: "It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Renaissance Dam."

Ahmed further admitted that the project had faced "internal and external obstacles" but said "we endured all that".

<h2>Why GERD is important for Ethiopia</h2>

Ethiopia believes that the GERD will double its electricity production, which is crucial for the nation where nearly half of the 127-million population lacks access to electricity, BBC reported.

It plans on generating more than 6,000 MW at the GERD dam that is situated approximately 30 kilometres from Ethiopia's border with Sudan.

However, ever since its launch, the dam has been a source of contention, primarily due to concerns about its potential impact on the downstream countries, particularly Egypt and Sudan.&nbsp;

<h2>Cause for dispute</h2>

Earlier,&nbsp;Egypt and Sudan called for common rules for the dam's operation to address their fears of water shortages. They have also expressed fear that Ethiopia's energy demands may increase, further exacerbating water shortages.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/watch-us-president-joe-biden-leader-of-the-first-world-wants-to-take-a-nap-in-midst-of-press-conference-634738">Watch | A nap request, jazz music and more: Inside Biden's Vietnam press briefing gaffe</a>

Negotiations over the GERD have been marred&nbsp;by disputes and were even temporarily halted in 2021.&nbsp;

While Egypt has expressed its frustration with Ethiopia's unilateral actions, Sudan, which is currently grappling with internal conflict between rival armies, is yet to issue a response to Ethiopia's project completion announcement.&nbsp;

Egypt's foreign ministry has criticised Ethiopia's reservoir filling. In a statement on Facebook, it said that the "unilateral" filling of the reservoir was "illegal" and a violation of a 2015 declaration of principles signed by the three nations.&nbsp;

"The declaration of principles stipulates the necessity of the three countries reaching an agreement on the rules for filling and operating the Gerd before commencing the filling process," said Egypt's foreign ministry in its statement.

"Ethiopia's unilateral measures are considered a disregard for the interests and rights of the downstream countries and their water security, as guaranteed by principles of international law."

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe>

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.

Egypt has voiced its anger after Ethiopia declared the completion of the final filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile river. The announcement has rekindled a long-standing dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over the hydroelectric dam project, which dates back to its launch in 2011.

Egypt has voiced its anger after Ethiopia declared the completion of the final filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile river. The announcement has rekindled a long-standing dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over the hydroelectric dam project, which dates back to its launch in 2011. What Egypt said Egypt, which heavily relies on the Nile for its various water needs, said that Ethiopia was disregarding the interests of downstream nations. However, Ethiopia asserts that the $4.2 billion GERD will not cut the downstream countries' share of Nile water. Also read | World Bank to redefine vision to progress towards a ‘livable planet’: Ajay Banga Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, in a post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, announced: "It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Renaissance Dam." Ahmed further admitted that the project had faced "internal and external obstacles" but said "we endured all that". Why GERD is important for Ethiopia Ethiopia believes that the GERD will double its electricity production, which is crucial for the nation where nearly half of the 127-million population lacks access to electricity, BBC reported. It plans on generating more than 6,000 MW at the GERD dam that is situated approximately 30 kilometres from Ethiopia's border with Sudan. However, ever since its launch, the dam has been a source of contention, primarily due to concerns about its potential impact on the downstream countries, particularly Egypt and Sudan. Cause for dispute Earlier, Egypt and Sudan called for common rules for the dam's operation to address their fears of water shortages. They have also expressed fear that Ethiopia's energy demands may increase, further exacerbating water shortages. Also read | Watch | A nap request, jazz music and more: Inside Biden's Vietnam press briefing gaffe Negotiations over the GERD have been marred by disputes and were even temporarily halted in 2021. While Egypt has expressed its frustration with Ethiopia's unilateral actions, Sudan, which is currently grappling with internal conflict between rival armies, is yet to issue a response to Ethiopia's project completion announcement. Egypt's foreign ministry has criticised Ethiopia's reservoir filling. In a statement on Facebook, it said that the "unilateral" filling of the reservoir was "illegal" and a violation of a 2015 declaration of principles signed by the three nations. "The declaration of principles stipulates the necessity of the three countries reaching an agreement on the rules for filling and operating the Gerd before commencing the filling process," said Egypt's foreign ministry in its statement. "Ethiopia's unilateral measures are considered a disregard for the interests and rights of the downstream countries and their water security, as guaranteed by principles of international law." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Egypt protests Ethiopia's Nile dam filling, labels move 'Illegal'

Ethiopia has refilled the reservoir on mega-dam on the Blue Nile River for the second consecutive year, a move that has angered Egypt. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been a source of dispute ever since Ethiopia broke ground on the project in 2011.

Ethiopia angers Egypt after refilling reservoir on Blue Nile river

UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council members on Thursday backed African&nbsp;Union mediation efforts between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan in a dispute over the operation of a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, urging the parties to resume talks.

Egypt and Sudan both called on the UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council to help resolve the dispute after Ethiopia earlier this week began filling the reservoir behind its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) for a second year. Ethiopia is opposed to any&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council involvement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-resumes-filling-nile-mega-dam-reservoir-angering-downstream-nations-396546">Ethiopia resumes filling Nile mega-dam reservoir, angering downstream nations</a>

"A balanced and equitable solution to the filling and operation of the GERD can be reached with political commitment from all parties," US&nbsp;Ambassador to the&nbsp;United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the council.

"This begins with the resumption of productive substantive negotiations. Those negotiations should be held&nbsp;under the leadership of the African&nbsp;Union, and should recommence with urgency," she said, adding that the African&nbsp;Union "is the most appropriate venue to address this dispute."

Many council diplomats were wary of involving the body in the dispute - beyond holding the meeting on Thursday - as they are concerned it could set a precedent that could allow other countries to seek&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council help with water disputes.

Ethiopia says the dam is crucial to its economic development and to provide power. But Egypt views it as a grave threat to its Nile water supplies, on which it is almost entirely dependant. Sudan, also downstream, has expressed concern about the dam's safety and impact on its own dams and water stations.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nile-dam-talks-fail-again-375968/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Tunisia has proposed a draft&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council resolution that would call for a binding agreement between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the operation of the giant dam within six months. It was not clear if or when it could be put to a vote.

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council to adopt the resolution.

"We do not expect the council to formulate solutions to the outstanding legal and technical issues, nor do we request that the council impose the terms of a settlement," he said. "This resolution is political in nature and its purpose ... is to re-launch negotiations."

Sudan's Foreign Minister Mariam Sadiq al-Mahdi also urged the council to act by calling for a resumption of negotiations and on Ethiopia to abstain from any&nbsp;unilateral measures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-asks-un-security-council-to-meet-over-ethiopias-controversial-blue-nile-dam-393247">Sudan asks UN Security Council to meet over Ethiopia's controversial Blue Nile dam</a>

Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, said an agreement on the operation of the $5 billion dam is "within reach" and he described it as regrettable that Egypt and Sudan pushed for the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council meeting.

"We urge our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters to&nbsp;understand that the resolution to the Nile issue will not come from the&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council. It can only come from good faith negotiations," he told the council.

Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia suggested the countries meet while in New York to try to resolve some issues.

UN Security Council members on Thursday backed African Union mediation efforts between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan in a dispute over the operation of a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, urging the parties to resume talks.

UN Security Council members on Thursday backed African Union mediation efforts between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan in a dispute over the operation of a giant hydropower dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, urging the parties to resume talks. Egypt and Sudan both called on the UN Security Council to help resolve the dispute after Ethiopia earlier this week began filling the reservoir behind its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) for a second year. Ethiopia is opposed to any Security Council involvement. Also read | Ethiopia resumes filling Nile mega-dam reservoir, angering downstream nations "A balanced and equitable solution to the filling and operation of the GERD can be reached with political commitment from all parties," US Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, told the council. "This begins with the resumption of productive substantive negotiations. Those negotiations should be held under the leadership of the African Union, and should recommence with urgency," she said, adding that the African Union "is the most appropriate venue to address this dispute." Many council diplomats were wary of involving the body in the dispute - beyond holding the meeting on Thursday - as they are concerned it could set a precedent that could allow other countries to seek Security Council help with water disputes. Ethiopia says the dam is crucial to its economic development and to provide power. But Egypt views it as a grave threat to its Nile water supplies, on which it is almost entirely dependant. Sudan, also downstream, has expressed concern about the dam's safety and impact on its own dams and water stations. Tunisia has proposed a draft Security Council resolution that would call for a binding agreement between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt on the operation of the giant dam within six months. It was not clear if or when it could be put to a vote. Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry called on the Security Council to adopt the resolution. "We do not expect the council to formulate solutions to the outstanding legal and technical issues, nor do we request that the council impose the terms of a settlement," he said. "This resolution is political in nature and its purpose ... is to re-launch negotiations." Sudan's Foreign Minister Mariam Sadiq al-Mahdi also urged the council to act by calling for a resumption of negotiations and on Ethiopia to abstain from any unilateral measures. Also read | Sudan asks UN Security Council to meet over Ethiopia's controversial Blue Nile dam Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, Seleshi Bekele Awulachew, said an agreement on the operation of the $5 billion dam is "within reach" and he described it as regrettable that Egypt and Sudan pushed for the Security Council meeting. "We urge our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters to understand that the resolution to the Nile issue will not come from the Security Council. It can only come from good faith negotiations," he told the council. Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia suggested the countries meet while in New York to try to resolve some issues.

UN Security Council backs African Union bid to broker Ethiopia dam deal

Ethiopia&nbsp;has started the second phase of filling the reservoir of its mega-dam on the upper Blue Nile, Egypt and Sudan said, raising tensions Tuesday ahead of an upcoming UN Security Council meeting on the divisive project.

Both Cairo and Khartoum said they had been notified by Addis Ababa that the second phase of filling had begun at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ethiopia-begins-second-stage-of-filling-mega-dam-angering-egypt-396167">Ethiopia begins second stage of filling mega-dam, angering Egypt</a>

Egypt's irrigation ministry late Monday expressed its "firm rejection of this unilateral measure" and Sudan's foreign ministry on Tuesday followed suit, labelling the move a "risk and imminent threat".

In Addis Ababa, the offices of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Irrigation Minister Seleshi Bekele did not respond to AFP's requests for comment.

The huge dam, set to be Africa's largest hydroelectric project when completed, has sparked an almost decade-long diplomatic stand-off between Addis Ababa and downstream nations Egypt and Sudan.

Ethiopia&nbsp;says the project is essential to its development, but Cairo and Khartoum fear it could restrict their citizens' water access.

Both governments have been urging Addis Ababa to sign a binding deal over the filling and the dam's operations, calling on the UN Security Council to take up the matter.

UNSC to meet

Thursday's Security Council meeting was requested by Tunisia on behalf of Egypt and Sudan, a diplomatic source told AFP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-asks-un-security-council-to-meet-over-ethiopias-controversial-blue-nile-dam-393247">Sudan asks UN Security Council to meet over Ethiopia's controversial Blue Nile dam</a>

But France's ambassador to the UN said last week that the council itself can do little apart from bringing all the sides together and "encourage them to get back to the negotiations".

Tunisia has also submitted a draft resolution calling on&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;to cease filling the reservoir, diplomatic sources said Tuesday.

The text, obtained by AFP, calls on the three countries to resume negotiations and to finalise the details of an agreement on filling within six months.

It urges the "three countries to refrain from making any statements, or taking any action that may jeopardize the negotiation process, and urges&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;to refrain from continuing to unilaterally fill the GERD reservoir."

No date has been set for the draft resolution vote and diplomatic sources have said it is unlikely it will be as early as Thursday's meeting.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/all-options-open-egypts-sisi-warns-of-potential-for-conflict-over-ethiopian-dam-376063">‘All options open’: Egypt's Sisi warns of potential for conflict over Ethiopian dam</a>

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in an earlier note to the UN that negotiations are at an impasse, and accused&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;of adopting "a policy of intransigence that undermined our collective endeavours to reach an agreement."

Shoukry and his Sudanese counterpart Mariam al-Mahdi met in New York ahead of the Security Council talks and reiterated their "firm rejection" of&nbsp;Ethiopia's move, Cairo said.

Relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa have been icy over the past decade, while tensions have also risen between&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;and Sudan as the Tigray conflict has sent refugees fleeing across the border into Sudan.

'Existential threat'

Addis Ababa had previously announced it would proceed to the second stage of filling in July, with or without a deal.

Ethiopia&nbsp;argues that adding water to the reservoir, especially during the months of July and August which typically enjoy heavy rainfall, is a natural part of the construction process.

Egypt, which depends on the Nile for about 97 per cent of its irrigation and drinking water, sees the dam as an existential threat.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/talks-on-grand-ethiopian-renaissance-dam-fail-again-356124">Talks on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam fail again</a>

Sudan hopes the project will regulate annual flooding but fears its own dams would be harmed without agreement on the Ethiopian operation.

The 145-metre (475-foot) tall mega-dam, construction of which began in 2011, has a reservoir with a total capacity of 74 billion cubic metres (2.61 trillion cubic feet).

Filling began last year, with&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;announcing in July 2020 it had hit its target of 4.9 billion cubic metres -- enough to test the dam's first two turbines.

The goal is to add more than double that volume this year.

'Unifying' factor for Ethiopians

Reaching that target would be a political boon for&nbsp;Ethiopia's Abiy as he strains to end the brutal war in Tigray, said Costantinos Berhutesfa Costantinos, a public policy expert at Addis Ababa University.

"This is a unifying factor for Ethiopians in the middle of so many ethnic conflicts you see here, and therefore it's important for the country and the leadership of the country to complete the dam in accordance with the schedule," Costantinos said.

Last year, Sudan said the process had caused water shortages, including in the capital Khartoum -- a claim&nbsp;Ethiopia&nbsp;disputed.

Costantinos dismissed the notion that further reservoir-filling would be harmful.

"If anything it will have a positive impact as it will prevent flooding in Sudan, and this water is going to be available to them. It is not going to be withheld permanently," he said.

Ethiopia has started the second phase of filling the reservoir of its mega-dam on the upper Blue Nile, Egypt and Sudan said, raising tensions Tuesday ahead of an upcoming UN Security Council meeting on the divisive project.

Ethiopia has started the second phase of filling the reservoir of its mega-dam on the upper Blue Nile, Egypt and Sudan said, raising tensions Tuesday ahead of an upcoming UN Security Council meeting on the divisive project. Both Cairo and Khartoum said they had been notified by Addis Ababa that the second phase of filling had begun at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Also read | Ethiopia begins second stage of filling mega-dam, angering Egypt Egypt's irrigation ministry late Monday expressed its "firm rejection of this unilateral measure" and Sudan's foreign ministry on Tuesday followed suit, labelling the move a "risk and imminent threat". In Addis Ababa, the offices of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Irrigation Minister Seleshi Bekele did not respond to AFP's requests for comment. The huge dam, set to be Africa's largest hydroelectric project when completed, has sparked an almost decade-long diplomatic stand-off between Addis Ababa and downstream nations Egypt and Sudan. Ethiopia says the project is essential to its development, but Cairo and Khartoum fear it could restrict their citizens' water access. Both governments have been urging Addis Ababa to sign a binding deal over the filling and the dam's operations, calling on the UN Security Council to take up the matter. UNSC to meet Thursday's Security Council meeting was requested by Tunisia on behalf of Egypt and Sudan, a diplomatic source told AFP. Also read | Sudan asks UN Security Council to meet over Ethiopia's controversial Blue Nile dam But France's ambassador to the UN said last week that the council itself can do little apart from bringing all the sides together and "encourage them to get back to the negotiations". Tunisia has also submitted a draft resolution calling on Ethiopia to cease filling the reservoir, diplomatic sources said Tuesday. The text, obtained by AFP, calls on the three countries to resume negotiations and to finalise the details of an agreement on filling within six months. It urges the "three countries to refrain from making any statements, or taking any action that may jeopardize the negotiation process, and urges Ethiopia to refrain from continuing to unilaterally fill the GERD reservoir." No date has been set for the draft resolution vote and diplomatic sources have said it is unlikely it will be as early as Thursday's meeting. Also read | ‘All options open’: Egypt's Sisi warns of potential for conflict over Ethiopian dam Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said in an earlier note to the UN that negotiations are at an impasse, and accused Ethiopia of adopting "a policy of intransigence that undermined our collective endeavours to reach an agreement." Shoukry and his Sudanese counterpart Mariam al-Mahdi met in New York ahead of the Security Council talks and reiterated their "firm rejection" of Ethiopia's move, Cairo said. Relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa have been icy over the past decade, while tensions have also risen between Ethiopia and Sudan as the Tigray conflict has sent refugees fleeing across the border into Sudan. 'Existential threat' Addis Ababa had previously announced it would proceed to the second stage of filling in July, with or without a deal. Ethiopia argues that adding water to the reservoir, especially during the months of July and August which typically enjoy heavy rainfall, is a natural part of the construction process. Egypt, which depends on the Nile for about 97 per cent of its irrigation and drinking water, sees the dam as an existential threat. Also read | Talks on Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam fail again Sudan hopes the project will regulate annual flooding but fears its own dams would be harmed without agreement on the Ethiopian operation. The 145-metre (475-foot) tall mega-dam, construction of which began in 2011, has a reservoir with a total capacity of 74 billion cubic metres (2.61 trillion cubic feet). Filling began last year, with Ethiopia announcing in July 2020 it had hit its target of 4.9 billion cubic metres -- enough to test the dam's first two turbines. The goal is to add more than double that volume this year. 'Unifying' factor for Ethiopians Reaching that target would be a political boon for Ethiopia's Abiy as he strains to end the brutal war in Tigray, said Costantinos Berhutesfa Costantinos, a public policy expert at Addis Ababa University. "This is a unifying factor for Ethiopians in the middle of so many ethnic conflicts you see here, and therefore it's important for the country and the leadership of the country to complete the dam in accordance with the schedule," Costantinos said. Last year, Sudan said the process had caused water shortages, including in the capital Khartoum -- a claim Ethiopia disputed. Costantinos dismissed the notion that further reservoir-filling would be harmful. "If anything it will have a positive impact as it will prevent flooding in Sudan, and this water is going to be available to them. It is not going to be withheld permanently," he said.

Ethiopia resumes filling Nile mega-dam reservoir, angering downstream nations

gerd

Gerd, News on Gerd, stories on Gerd, articles on Gerd, Gerd stories at Wion, Gerd news, Gerd latest news