Ethiopia confirmed today that the second filling of the Renaissance Dam will take place on time and is not subject to discussion, during a meeting of the eastern Nile Basin countries in Addis Ababa, from which Egypt was absent, which renewed its warnings that all options are on the table in dealing with the dam crisis without excluding a diplomatic solution.
Today, the 33rd meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Eastern Nile Basin countries, which includes Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan and Egypt, began in Addis Ababa. It is the first direct meeting of the countries east of the Nile.
In his speech during the meeting, the Ethiopian Minister of Irrigation, Sileshi Begali, confirmed that the second mobilization of the Renaissance Dam will take place on time and is not subject to discussion, and is agreed upon with Egypt and Sudan.
He also called for integration among the eastern Nile Basin countries through development projects that benefit the peoples of the region.
more open
For his part, the Sudanese Minister of Irrigation, Yasser Abbas, said that his country has become more open to working with the countries of the East Nile Basin, stressing the importance of cooperation between these countries.
Abbas confirmed that Sudan accepts a partial interim agreement to mobilize the Renaissance Dam before its operation, provided that the continuity of negotiations is ensured according to a specific time limit.
The Sudanese minister stressed that "what we are asking for so that the dams in Sudan are not damaged is complete information in accordance with the Declaration of Principles Agreement that we have reached."
Abbas added, "We have a small dam called Al-Roseiris, 100 km from the Renaissance Dam, so we must know the amount of water coming and develop a plan to secure our dam."
For his part, the Minister of Irrigation of South Sudan, Manawa Peter, said - in exclusive statements to Al Jazeera - that cooperation between Sudan, Ethiopia and South Sudan is inevitable.
Egypt warns
Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Cairo is seeking a diplomatic solution to the Renaissance Dam crisis.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Shoukry stressed that all options are on the table to deal with the dam crisis.
Addis Ababa insists on a second filling of the dam with water, 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 Cairo and Khartoum insist on first reaching a tripartite agreement, to preserve their water facilities, and to ensure the continued flow of their annual share of the Nile waters.