Ethiopia deploys army near Renaissance barrage

Text by: Sébastien Nemeth Follow

Tensions continue to mount around the Renaissance dam project built by Ethiopia on the Nile. But neighboring countries, notably Egypt, are worried about the consequences for their access to water from the Nile. Relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa have been at loggerheads for several months. And things are not going to work out because Ethiopia has deployed the army near the dam.

Publicity

From our correspondent in Nairobi,

The images filmed by Ethiopian state television speak for themselves: we see tanks, military vehicles and dozens of soldiers deployed near the Renaissance barrage. Addis Ababa shows its muscles, while negotiations with neighboring countries are blocked.

This force deployment comes just as the Ethiopians celebrate the 9th anniversary of the site. Construction 72% complete and which will continue at all costs.

Indeed, on the occasion of this anniversary, the Prime Minister announced that the works would end in July, and that the filling of the dam would begin in stride. " For us, this is the second most important thing after human life, " said Abiy Ahmed, who called on the Ethiopians to continue funding the site by phone or by buying bonds.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, the Nobel Peace Prize has promised that the work will go to completion. His government also recalled that measures had been taken to protect the workers of the Covid-19.

A disturbing step forward, as the United States is no longer considered an objective mediator by Ethiopia. The Sudanese Prime Minister has offered to relaunch the dialogue . Abdallah Hamdock wants to go to Cairo and Addis Ababa once the Coronavirus is defeated. But Ethiopia does not seem at all to want to wait for a hypothetical end of the pandemic.

Newsletter With the Daily Newsletter, find the headlines directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Ethiopia
• Egypt
• Defense
• Abiy ahmed

On the same subject

Sudan offers to mediate on Renaissance dam file

Renaissance Dam: Egyptian diplomatic offensive