Ethiopia and Egypt reach ‘major common understanding’ on massive Nile River dam

Disagreement over US$4.6 billion project has led to sharp regional tensions and concerns about potential military conflict

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s first-year filling achieved, Ethiopia says, with water level in reservoir at highest in four years

3-MIN READ3-MIN

A radio operator looks out over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia in December. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:50am, 22 Jul 2020Updated: 5:50am, 22 Jul 2020

Ethiopia’s prime minister said on Tuesday that his country, Egypt and Sudan have reached a “major common understanding which paves the way for a breakthrough agreement” on a massive dam project that has led to sharp regional tensions and led some to fear military conflict.

The statement by Abiy Ahmed’s office came as new satellite images show the water level in the reservoir behind the nearly completed US$4.6 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is at its highest in at least four years.

Ethiopia has said the rising water is from heavy rains, and the new statement said that “it has become evident over the past two weeks in the rainy season that the [dam’s] first-year filling is achieved and the dam under construction is already overtopping.”

Ethiopia has said it would begin filling the reservoir of the dam, Africa’s largest, this month even without a deal as the rainy season floods the Blue Nile. But the new statement says the three countries’ leaders have agreed to pursue “further technical discussions on the filling … and proceed to a comprehensive agreement”.

A satellite image shows a view of northwestern Ethiopia that focuses on the status of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and the Blue Nile River on July 11. Image: Maxar Technologies handout via AFP

The statement did not give details on Tuesday’s discussions, mediated by current African Union chair and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, or what had been agreed upon.