Egyptian Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Aty confirmed that his country is keen to complete the negotiations on the Renaissance Dam "to reach a just and binding legal agreement that meets everyone's aspirations for development," while Khartoum expressed its hope that the UN Security Council would find a way out that addresses the dam crisis.

The Egyptian minister's comments came after President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said yesterday, Thursday, that his country had taken measures to confront any possible water shortage.

Addis Ababa had accused unnamed parties of creating problems over the Renaissance Dam.

Today, Friday, Abdel-Aty discussed with the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Michael Leconde, the developments of the Renaissance Dam crisis, and said that Egypt and Sudan would not accept what he called "the unilateral decision to fill and operate the dam."


Abdel-Aty explained that Egypt and Sudan requested the participation of international parties led by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (in its capacity as the current chair of the African Union), such as the United States, the European Union and the United Nations, to support the negotiation methodology effectively, especially with the negotiations reaching a stage of stagnation as a result of what he described as "Ethiopian intransigence."

Yesterday, Thursday, the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation arrived in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on an unspecified official visit, to enhance joint cooperation in the areas of water management.


Security Council

For its part, the Sudanese Foreign Ministry expressed today, Friday, its hope that the UN Security Council will find a way out that addresses the crisis of the Renaissance Dam.

A ministry statement issued after the return of Foreign Minister Maryam al-Mahdi from a visit to Russia during which she discussed the dam crisis said that Sudan hopes that the Security Council will reach a way out in the coming days that will enhance the meeting and address issues related to Khartoum's concerns.

He explained that convening a meeting in the Security Council is a victory for Sudan in terms of recognizing the existence of an issue worthy of discussion (..), and distancing itself from unilateral steps or taking any actions that would undermine the negotiation process.


In turn, Maryam Al-Mahdi said through her account on Facebook, "The talks were successful and opened up wider horizons for Sudan regarding conveying its firm position on the Renaissance Dam crisis, and the need to reach a binding agreement on filling and operating the dam."

And last Sunday evening, the Sudanese Foreign Minister arrived in Russia, on an official visit that lasted 4 days, to discuss the developments of the Renaissance Dam crisis.

On July 8, the UN Security Council concluded that it is necessary to re-negotiate the Renaissance Dam intensively, under the auspices of the African Union, in order to sign a binding legal agreement that meets the needs of the three countries.

In turn, Moscow expressed during the Security Council session its understanding of the importance of the dam to Addis Ababa, with reference to Cairo and Khartoum's "concerns" about it.


mutual accusations

Egypt and Sudan exchange accusations with Ethiopia of being responsible for the failure of negotiations on the dam sponsored by the African Union for months, within a negotiating process that began about 10 years ago.

Addis Ababa insists on implementing a second filling of the Renaissance Dam with water in July and next August, even if it does not reach an agreement on filling and operating the dam it is building on the Blue Nile, the main tributary of the Nile River, while Egypt and Sudan insist on first reaching a binding tripartite agreement. To maintain the safety of their water facilities and to ensure the continued flow of their annual share of Nile water, which is 55.5 billion cubic meters and 18.5 billion cubic meters, respectively.