What is the Alternative to the Addis Ababa Meetings Regarding the Renaissance Dam?

Dr. Abbas Sharaki, an Egyptian water expert and army professor, raised an important question: What is the alternative to the Addis Ababa meetings regarding the Renaissance Dam?

In an interview with RT, Dr. Sharaki expressed concerns about the lack of details regarding the negotiations that will take place in Addis Ababa. The previous meeting in Cairo, held on August 27-28, did not involve any international parties, and it seems that the negotiations will continue without their involvement.

In February 2020, the last round of negotiations took place in Washington, but Ethiopia refused to sign the draft agreement initialed by Egypt. Sudan requested the presence of international mediators and a set timetable, but Ethiopia rejected this approach.

Following the Sudan Neighborhood Summit in Cairo on July 13, 2023, it was decided to resume negotiations with the aim of reaching an agreement within four months. However, the first meeting in Cairo did not yield any significant progress, as Ethiopia remained inflexible.

While the presence of international parties does not guarantee a successful agreement, it does offer hope for a resolution. This is why Egypt and Sudan consider it an essential requirement. If no agreement is reached by December 12, 2023, Egypt and Sudan will bring the issue to the Security Council for the third and final time.

For Egypt and Sudan, this is not merely a water issue, but a matter of the survival of the Nile Valley population. The dam’s capacity has increased significantly, posing a threat to over 20-30 million people in a geologically unstable region with high seismic activity and annual floods. The presence of the world’s largest faults and the weakest basalt volcanic complex further exacerbate the risks.

In his address to the 2023 General Assembly, the Secretary-General expressed deep concern about the global threat posed by dams.

Source: RT