The current impasse over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile river in Ethiopia is invoking interest of the African Union (AU) and, possibly, the UN Security Council (UNSC). The USA has tried its hand to still the waters, albeit unsuccessfully. The next two weeks are going to be crucial for Ethiopia and Egypt, particularly with Sudan’s involvement.
This is perhaps the biggest crisis that is looming over Northeast Africa.
The issue immediately at hand is the dry season consequence of the dam on Sudan and Egypt’s water requirements. Ethiopia believes it’s talked enough to all who keep stalling progress and it intends to start filling the dam in a fortnight. It may take up to five years to fill the reservoir and the dry season issues can be discussed meanwhile.
The AU-led mediation meeting on 26 June was Chaired by South African President Ramaphosa and was virtually attended by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad of Ethiopia and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok of Sudan. The AU Bureau members President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya, President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita of Mali, and President Abdel Fattah al Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt were also present.
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