Tshisekedi Presents Congolese Initiative to Resolve GERD Dispute

Current chair of the African Union, President Felix Tshisekedi of Congo has presented an initiative to resolve Ethiopia’s dispute with Egypt and Sudan on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. 

He made this announcement during talks with Sudan’s Head of Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Sudan’s Prime Minister Dr. Abdalla Hamdok in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. 

Sudan’s Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq disclosed that the Congolese initiative is currently being studied by relevant authorities. 

Al-Sadiq says Sudan stands by Ethiopia’s right in developing its capabilities, utilizing the Blue Nile water, and developing its resources but it should, however,  not harm the rights of Egypt and Sudan. 

The FM voiced Sudan’s rejection of the unilateral steps taken last year by Ethiopia concerning GERD and plans to implement the next filling phase scheduled for July. 

She said the concerned parties cannot “reap mutual benefits” from the dam project unless they reach a legal agreement binding on all of them in terms of filling and operation of the dam. 

Dr. Mariam highlighted Sudan’s belief that the Renaissance Dam project can be beneficial to the three countries and Africa in case it is based on consensus. 

Head of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah al-Burhan earlier met with U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman where they discussed the GERD dispute. 

Burhan has reiterated the need for the three countries to reach a negotiated solution and achieve a binding agreement.