Egypt said that any filling of the Renaissance Dam by Ethiopia without reaching a fair agreement with the downstream countries is unacceptable. Sudan also warned against dragging the region into pitfalls, while Ethiopia confirmed that no power can change its positions on the dam.
The Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Mohamed Abdel-Aty, said that any action regarding the Renaissance Dam without reaching a fair and binding legal agreement, and without coordination with the downstream countries;
Egypt and Sudan, is a unilateral act rejected.
During a dialogue meeting with the governors’ representatives and the coordination of youth parties and politicians, Abdel-Aty affirmed Egypt’s keenness to complete the negotiations, and its adherence to its principles in preserving its water rights, and achieving the benefit of all in any agreement regarding the dam.
For his part, Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al-Tayeb said - during a recorded speech for him - that the claim of ownership of some natural resources and tyranny by disposing of them harms the lives of other countries;
A dangerous phenomenon.
Al-Tayyib considered that whoever tolerates this is an unjust and aggressor. The responsible authorities locally, regionally and internationally must protect the rights of people from his tyranny, as he put it.
For her part, Sudanese Foreign Minister Maryam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi warned of what she called the intransigence of the other party regarding the Renaissance Dam;
This could lead the region into pitfalls, according to a statement by the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Al-Mahdi confirmed - in a video meeting with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita - that Sudan seeks to peacefully resolve differences over the dam through the mediation of the African Union.
Bourita also affirmed Morocco's support for Sudan in the issue of the Renaissance Dam, referring to Morocco's membership in the committee formed by the League of Arab States to attract international support for Sudan and Egypt's position.
On the other hand, a member of the Ethiopian delegation to the Renaissance Dam negotiations, Yacoub Arsano, said that Ethiopia is going through a difficult stage in the negotiations, but there is no force that can change the positions of Addis Ababa.
Arsano added - during a discussion at Debre Burhan University in the Amhara region about the Renaissance Dam - that Ethiopia is keen on regional ties, but it also maintains its national interests in all sectors.
He accused Egypt of interfering in his country's affairs and trying to force it to sign a "bitter" agreement, as he put it, stressing that Ethiopia will not ask permission from any party when it comes to promoting its development.
Ethiopia insists on a second filling of the dam, which is believed to be in the next July and August, about a year after the first filling, even if it has not reached an agreement.
While Sudan and Egypt adhere to first reaching a tripartite agreement, to preserve their water facilities, and to ensure the continued flow of their annual share of the Nile waters.