"The Sudanese" newspaper attributed to research sources familiar with defense and security affairs that the Ethiopian army recently deployed a new Russian-made air defense system near the site of the Renaissance Dam, amid Ethiopian insistence on mobilizing the dam.
The sources told the newspaper issued today, Tuesday, that Ethiopia had discussed with the Russian side from an early date the acquisition of an appropriate air defense system capable of protecting the Renaissance Dam project from any threats, and was working as a proactive deterrent towards any plans aimed at harming the dam’s body.
The source expected that Ethiopia had completed the deployment of a Pantsir-S1 system about a month ago.
It is noteworthy that the Russian "Pantzer S-1" system is considered one of the latest Russian systems that have been developed during the past years, and the system performs air defense missions very effectively, it is capable of flexible combat control, and also provides protection for small vital army centers and escort of assets and military units.
This system is capable of engaging with any type of air threat (cruise missiles, aircraft, guided bombs, anti-radar, reconnaissance, and drones), as well as with ground targets.
In turn, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Abi Ahmed, confirmed yesterday, Monday, that the decision to mobilize the Renaissance Dam is irreversible, and that Addis Ababa does not seek to harm others, noting that his country is building the dam for the growth of Ethiopia.
During the opening session of the parliamentary session of the Ethiopian House of Representatives, Ahmed explained that the Renaissance Dam project is progressing according to the schedule set for it, according to what Egyptian newspapers reported.
Relations between Sudan and Ethiopia have recently witnessed border tensions between the two countries, but the two sides have expressed their refusal to escalate.
While Ethiopia called on Sudan to conduct a joint investigation to contain the border tension between the two countries - and that the day after Khartoum summoned the Chargé d'Affairs of the Addis Ababa Mukkenen Qasai to protest against the recent attack by an Ethiopian militia on Sudanese border lands - the Sudanese army pledged to resolve security insecurity on the border with Ethiopia.
On Monday, Sudan announced - in a statement to the Ministry of Irrigation - an invitation to the Egyptian and Ethiopian Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources for a virtual meeting today, Tuesday.
The statement added that this meeting is a continuation of the previous rounds of negotiations on the Renaissance Dam, and culminating the efforts made by Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdock, and led to the agreement of Egypt and Ethiopia to resume the tripartite negotiations to reach a comprehensive and satisfactory agreement that meets the interests of the three countries and fulfills the aspirations of their peoples.
On May 6, Egypt formally submitted a letter to the Security Council to discuss the developments of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which have been stalled for months, and at the end of last February, Egypt signed in an initial letter an agreement to fill and operate the Renaissance Dam sponsored by Washington with the participation of the World Bank.
Cairo considered this agreement fair, amid Ethiopian rejection and a Sudanese reservation, and an Egyptian declaration in mid-March of last that talks with Ethiopia would be suspended.