By Published on 22-10-2019Modified on 22-10-2019 at 22:48

Tensions continue between Egypt and Ethiopia over the "Great Dam of the Renaissance". Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is expected to meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Wednesday (October 23rd) on the sidelines of the Russia-Africa summit. The face-to-face promises to be heated.

Abiy Ahmed made some aggressive comments Tuesday during a question-and-answer session in Parliament. While tension is high with Cairo , the Ethiopian prime minister said " no force could stop Ethiopia from building the dam ."

" If we have to go to war, we can mobilize millions of people. If some can fire a missile, others can use bombs, "he told MPs. Surprising words from an Abiy Ahmed celebrated worldwide since his Nobel Peace Prize awarded just a few days ago.

Nevertheless, the Prime Minister was careful not to cross a red line. He recalled that the war " was not in anyone's interest and that Ethiopia had no desire to harm Egypt ".

Cairo is trying to involve a mediator in the crisis. The Egyptians have already contacted the United States, Russia, China or the Security Council. But so far, the Ethiopians refuse any intermediary. Last month President al-Sissi told the UN that Egypt would never allow " Addis Ababa to impose a de facto situation " by filling the dam reservoir without prior agreement.

Behind the scenes, some Egyptian officials are also quite annoyed by the successive failures of the talks . For some, all the options would be even on the table. In recent weeks, media close to power have also encouraged Cairo to use force. That promises to meet this Wednesday.

This unique infrastructure in Africa, built by Addis Ababa on the Blue Nile, is two-thirds complete. Ethiopians now want to fill the tank as soon as possible. This is denied by Egyptians who fear a sharp decline in their water resources.

    On the same subject

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