Abbay Media News
Yassin Ibrahim
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of Ethiopia and President Abdul Fatah Al Sisi of Egypt met in Cairo and discussed on topics related to the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) being built on the Blue Nile river, it was reported.
The construction of the biggest dam in Africa on the Blue Nile is a cause for concern for the two downstream countries of Sudan and Egypt, said President Al Sisi. The Egyptian President pointed out the two countries have discussed on the resumption of the tripartite talks and on the need to converse about the effect of the GERD on Sudan and Egypt. While the development of Ethiopia should not be viewed as a concern for other African countries, the progress to be made should be in good faith and shouldn’t be a worry for others, the Egyptian President emphasized.
Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn on his part said, the Ethiopian hydroelectric dam that is being built on the Blue Nile benefits not only Ethiopia but also the neighboring countries. This famous and great river should not be allowed to become a source of mistrust or conflict and Egypt and Ethiopia should develop their relationships in many aspects to make sure the interests of both countries are secured, added PM Desalegn.
The two leaders are reported to have discussed about the recently growing tensions in the Red Sea region and have agreed on the need to cooperatively work for keeping the peace. The two countries have also signed agreements for mutual cooperation in various sectors.
River Nile is the main, if not the only, source of water for Egypt and President Al Sisi has compared the issue of of Nile as “a matter of life and death”. Ethiopia is the source of Blue Nile and about 85% of the water that reaches Egypt flows from the Blue Nile of Ethiopia. The suggestion by Egypt to use the World bank as a mediator was not well received by Ethiopia.
