Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government lauds the Sudanese administration for not endorsing the Arab League position.

ends intro

Last week Ethiopia deplored what it called the United States meddling in the controversy over the Grand Renaissance Dam its building across the Blue Nile.

Egypt brought the US into the process when it was unable to get Ethiopian assurances that the flow of water downstream would not be affected the by dam.

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is on a tour of seven Arab countries following the support for its position by Arab League foreign ministers.

Ethiopia accuses the ministers of  supporting a fellow member rather than dealing with the facts of the matter. 

The post Ethiopia deplores Arab League support for Egypt on Nile dam appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Talks in Washington, aimed at preparing for final agreement by heads of state at the end of this month are not making progress.

Brokering  the talks, the US is trying to put a brave face on the crawling negotiations.

Treasure Secretary Steve Mnuchin says technical experts are doing their job.

But he can’t point to any concrete progress.

The Grand Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile will turn Ethiopia into Africa’s power generating giant.

But Sudan and Egypt downstream fear their vital interests are at stake.

Matters are complicated by  a latest report of Uganda planning a dam across the Nile.

The post Talks stalled on Blue Nile Dam appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

If successful it will obviate the need for President Cyril Ramaphosa to broker further negotiations in his capacity as chair of the African Union.

Minister sfrom the three riperian countries have agreed that the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam across the Blue Nile will start being filled in July.

Taking the water level to 595 meters above sea level will continue for six to seven years during the wet season.

Water will be sent to Sudan and Egypt downstream during severe droughts.

Hydro-electric power will be generated early, making Ethiopia the major power supplier in Africa.

The post Riperian countries agree on level of dam across Blue Nile appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

Ahmed, who is on an official visit,  was a guest at the ANC birthday celebrations in Kimberley yesterday.

In less than a month, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Abiy Ahmed will play host to President Cyril Ramaphosa and his continental counterparts at the African Union summit in Addis Ababa.

Ramaphosa will assume the chair of the  57-nation grouping at that gathering.

So today’s talks in Pretoria will range far wider than bilateral issues.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister will brief the South African President on continental issues  including the Grand Renaissance Dam being built across the Blue Nile to the concern of Sudan and Egypt downstream.

The post South African and Ethiopian leaders talk in Pretoria today appeared first on Jean-Jacques Cornish.

On his official visit to South Africa Nobel-Peace-Prize-laureate Ahmed will attend the ANC’s birthday celebration in Kimberley tomorrow and have substantial talks with Ramaphosa in Pretoria on Sunday.

Assuming the African Union  chair next month, President Cyril Ramaphosa needs to be up to speed on the continent’s largest hydro project.

Talks in Addis Ababa broke up this week without agreement between Ethiopia, building the Grand Renaissance Dam on the Nile, and the countries downstream Sudan and Egypt.

Dependent on the Nile for 90% of its water needs, Egypt wants Ethiopia to take 12 to 21 years to fill the dam.

Ethiopia maintains this should take four to seven years. 

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