Egypt criticizes Ethiopia for filling the Grand Renaissance Dam with water.

SGGP 12/09/2023 08:34

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has criticized Ethiopia's filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River, deeming it an illegal act.

The Grand Renaissance Dam in Guba, Ethiopia. Source: VNA

According to the ministry, this "unilateral" measure by Ethiopia will "put pressure" on negotiations with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan. These negotiations were suspended in 2021 but resumed on August 27th.

In June, Ethiopia announced the fourth phase of water filling for the GERD reservoir, despite objections from the two downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan. Cairo has long viewed the GERD as an existential threat, as Egypt depends on the Nile River for 97% of its water needs.

However, the dam has been identified as a centerpiece in Ethiopia's development plans, and Addis Ababa announced it began generating electricity for the first time from the GERD in February 2022.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ai-cap-chi-trich-ethiopia-tich-nuoc-dap-dai-phuc-hung-post705212.html