The water expert, Professor of Geology at the Faculty of African Studies at Cairo University, Dr. Abbas Sharqi, stressed that Egypt's road map in its crisis with Ethiopia in the issue of "Renaissance Dam" is very clear, it begins with bilateral negotiations between the two countries, and in the event of its failure to reach a third-party mediation request, Then it ends if a solution is not reached through the Security Council, as Egypt trusts the integrity of its legal position in all steps. Sharqi stressed the need to deepen Egyptian-Sudanese negotiations, in order to reach a unified position, not only because the interests of the two brotherly countries are one on the long level, but also because they have one legal status by virtue of the 1959 agreement, pointing to the need for Egypt to focus on seeking a new comprehensive water agreement with Ethiopia, because once the Renaissance Dam crisis ends in any way, then a series of endless crises will emerge due to Ethiopia's planning to construct 27 new dams, one of which has already been started in planning and laying down its facilities, a situation that will not be partially resolved by calling for negotiations for each dam separately .

And Sharaqi told Emirates Today, that "the negotiations taking place in Washington in the presence of the American administration and the World Bank, will focus on bringing views closer to the six items of the (Renaissance Dam) that were elaborated at the last meeting, which can be summarized in the filling operation First, the operation of repeated filling, and the right of Egypt and Sudan to exist or not to be there, and to define the mechanism for resolving disputes ».

And Sharqi indicated that «time is very short, negotiations are difficult, and the construction of the dam is continuous, which requires focusing on the three core points referred to, and the Egyptian negotiator was initially insisting on discussing the safety of the dam, but Ethiopia said it was sure of its studies and designs, and threatened to stick to this The demand for the collapse of the negotiations, and the Declaration of Principles 2015 included a tribute to its efforts in achieving the safety of the dam, in order to ensure Egypt's access to the heart of the crisis.

And Sharqi considered that "Egypt's road map for solving the crisis is clear, as it will continue the ongoing negotiations. If no solution is reached, it will turn to the idea of ​​the mediator, which is more likely to be either the United States of America or the World Bank, and it is highly unlikely that South Africa will be attributed." To Ethiopia, given that South Africa has neither the scientific expertise, nor the sufficient pressure tools, nor the accumulated knowledge to solve the crisis, unlike the two parties referred to who have been involved in one way or another in the water file of the Nile Basin since at least the sixties, as it is unlikely that Russia or China The United States grabbed the file. "In the event that mediation fails, Egypt will go to the Security Council and all its papers," she said. "It has a report of international experts on the dangers represented by the dam, which indicates that it was built with specifications that exceed seven times the size of the original feasibility studies, and which confirms - that is, the report - The seriousness of the dam threatens international peace and security, just as Egypt has observer testimony about its acceptance of negotiations despite the continued construction of the dam, and it also has solid legal ground represented in concluding an agreement with Ethiopia in 1881 that prevents the latter from building dams on the Blue Nile without consulting Egypt, and other agreements 1891, 1902, confirms the same meaning, how much However, the (United Nations Transboundary River Law) of 2014, signed by 134 countries so far, prohibits the establishment of upstream countries for dams without consulting the downstream countries, which is a law even if it does not have an executive force in the case of the Renaissance Dam, because it was not signed by countries The Nile Basin, except that it has indicative, inferential or customary power.

The importance of concluding a water agreement

And Sharqi stressed, "the importance of concluding a comprehensive Egyptian-Ethiopian water agreement that regulates the water relationship between the two countries on the strategic level, so that they do not become blown by the wind in every new development." He stressed that "Ethiopia plans to construct 27 new dams, including three dams that will constitute contact with Water interests, being similar to the Renaissance Dam, including a dam that has already been started, and possibly implemented. This agreement must take into account all considerations. On the one hand, the Egyptian negotiator does not deny Ethiopia's right to development and access to electricity, but in return there is a unique and unique reality for Egypt, which is that it is the only downstream country that mainly depends on water, from outside its borders. .

The water situation is reassuring

Dr. confirmed Abbas Sharqi said that “Egypt is in any case not in a dangerous water situation, thanks to the High Dam and the huge water reserves it possesses, and thanks to the nature of the mountainous geological lands that the Blue Nile passes through Ethiopia, and which does not make it soak up the water, but this situation, even if it gives confidence And reassurance to Egypt in the management of its water file, but it can not turn into an excuse to give up its water rights and the rights of generations ».

- Egypt's road map for solving the crisis is clear. It will continue the ongoing negotiations. If no solution is found, it will turn to the idea of ​​the mediator, who is likely to be either the United States of America or the World Bank.