The negotiations of the Renaissance Dam between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia are concluded this evening in Kinshasa, under the auspices of the African Union, amid disagreements over the drafting of the final statement, as Sudan and Egypt adhere to expanding the Quartet mediation in exchange for an Ethiopian refusal.
Earlier Monday, the foreign and water ministers of the three countries resumed their negotiations in the presence of the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, who holds the rotating presidency of the African Union.
Al-Jazeera correspondent learned from an informed source that the negotiations are witnessing differences between the delegations of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia regarding the drafting of the final statement, explaining that Sudan and Egypt adhere to the expansion of the Quartet mediation under the leadership of the African Union.
The source added that Ethiopia adhered to the refusal of the Quartet mediation, and suggested seeking the help of the observers, according to the request.
The negotiations that began on Saturday focused on the negotiation mechanism and methodology and expanding the mediation circle, as well as the process of the second filling of the Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia intends to undertake next July.
On Sunday, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry accused Ethiopia of raising its demands on the waters of the Nile River.
On Sunday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry considered that the current round of negotiations on the Renaissance Dam in the Congolese capital (Kinshasa) is a "last chance" to reach an agreement on filling and operating the dam.
As for the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maryam Al-Sadiq, she confirmed her country's readiness to respond to the initiative undertaken by the Congo.
To bridge the gap between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia regarding the mobilization and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
In turn, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry spokesman, Dina Mufti, avoided commenting on what Ethiopia has been saying about its intention to fill the dam next July, and contented himself in an interview with Al-Jazeera by expressing his optimism that solutions would satisfy all parties, with the possibility of making concessions.
An American connection
On the other hand, the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, discussed in a telephone conversation with the Sudanese Prime Minister, Abdullah Hamdok, the negotiations of the Renaissance Dam and the tensions on the borders with Ethiopia regarding the Fashaqa area, including the commitment recently expressed by the two countries to enter into a dialogue to resolve these issues. the case.
The State Department said that Blinken discussed with Hamdok also efforts to advance the peace process and support political reforms, and welcomed the declaration of principles, which the government signed with the Sudan People's Liberation Movement, stressing the importance of ensuring the protection of civilians throughout Sudan.