/https://www.thestar.com/content/dam/thestar/news/world/africa/2020/01/12/ethiopia-pm-asks-south-africa-leader-to-help-in-dam-dispute/XTH106-112_2020_112630.jpg)
JOHANNESBURG - Ethiopia’s prime minister has asked South Africa’s president to intervene in his country’s dispute with Egypt over a massive dam project on the Nile River, set to be Africa’s largest hydraulic dam.
During a visit to South Africa on Sunday, Abiy Ahmed said President Cyril Ramaphosa as the incoming chair of the African Union could play an important role in ensuring a peaceful resolution is found.
Talks last week among Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan failed to reach agreement on technical issues including the filling of the $4.6 billion Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which is around 70% complete.
Egypt has said filling the dam’s reservoir too quickly could significantly reduce the amount of Nile water available to its people and agriculture. Ethiopia says the dam is needed for development in one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies.
Last week Ethiopia said Egypt asked to extend the time it takes to fill the dam from 12 years to 21 years. Ethiopia called that “not acceptable“ and plans to start filling the dam in July at the start of the rainy season.
Egypt later said Ethiopia’s government failed to prove it would take all necessary precautions to ensure that the dam will not affect Egypt’s water supply, especially in times of drought.
Water and energy ministers of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan are expected to meet again Monday in Washington to report on their progress. The U.S. and World Bank are observers to the talks after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi last year pleaded to the U.S. and the international community to mediate a solution.“Ethiopia always believes in a win-win approach with Egypt and Sudan. Our kind request is that Ramaphosa ... as he is a good friend of Ethiopia and Egypt, also as the incoming African Union chair, he can make a discussion between both parties for us to solve the issue peacefully,” Abiy said Sunday.YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN...He called it crucial that a peaceful solution be found and said he is sure Ramaphosa will “play a significant role“ in negotiations.
The South African leader confirmed that he had already raised the matter with the Egyptian president.
“The Nile river is important to both countries and there must be a way in which both their interests can be addressed. There must be a way in which a solution can be found,” Ramaphosa said.
Ethiopia and South Africa signed several trade agreements in health, tourism and telecommunications during Abiy’s visit.
Ramaphosa also gave assurances to the Ethiopian prime minister that his country would protect Ethiopians living in South Africa from the xenophobic attacks that break out in South Africa. Last year, foreign businesses were targeted by locals in Johannesburg and the capital, Pretoria.Get more of the Star in your inboxNever miss the latest news from the Star. Sign up for our newsletters to get today's top stories, your favourite columnists and lots more in your inboxSign Up Now[1]References^ Sign Up Now (www.bing.com)
Newer articles:
- South Sudan Situation: UNHCR Regional Update (November 2019) - 15/01/2020 14:05
- Former Sudan spy service men open fire in protest at dismissal terms - 14/01/2020 09:39
- South Sudan warring parties sign ceasefire deal after peace talks in Rome - 14/01/2020 07:57
- South Sudan thrash Somalia in Afro-basketball opener - 14/01/2020 07:48
- South African Deputy President Mabuza in Juba to Help Bring Peace to South Sudan - 14/01/2020 07:27
Older news items
- Know About how Counties in South Sudan Battle Starvation and Floods - 11/01/2020 01:41
- South Sudan Operation Overview - December 2019 - 10/01/2020 01:11
- South Sudan seeks to boost ties with Turkey - 09/01/2020 22:37
- South Sudan launches environmental review tender - 09/01/2020 11:03
- Sudan’s prime minister embarks on peace mission to rebel stronghold - 09/01/2020 10:31
Latest news items (all categories):
- The citizens of South Sudan Should Disown the SPLM - 24/04/2025 17:12
- [video] South Sudan’s security crisis and the looming war - 24/04/2025 17:05
- South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Remembers Day Pope Francis Kissed his Feet in Heartfelt Tribute - 24/04/2025 16:58
- MTN Group reshuffles leadership in Rwanda, South Sudan - 24/04/2025 16:55
- South Sudan on brink again as fragile peace teeters - 24/04/2025 16:49
Random articles (all categories):
- UNMISS-funded pediatric ward in Ezo gives hope and encouragement to returnees - 04/08/2023 04:46
- 426,000 Affected By Flooding In South Sudan, Says UN - 21/09/2021 12:40
- Squabbling Over the Waters of the River Nile - 29/10/2020 19:30
- New FIFA president Gianni Infantino visits war-torn South Sudan - 23/03/2016 07:24
- President Salva Kiir’s Self-Coup d’état as a power game! - 05/01/2014 17:52
Popular articles:
- Who is the darkest person in the world, according to Guinness World Record? - 25/10/2022 02:34 - Read 94823 times
- No oil in troubled waters - 25/03/2014 15:02 - Read 22584 times
- School exam results in South Sudan show decline - 01/04/2012 17:58 - Read 21928 times
- Top 10 weakest currency exchange rates in Africa in 2023 - 19/07/2023 00:24 - Read 20613 times
- NDSU student from South Sudan receives scholarship - In-Forum - 29/09/2012 01:44 - Read 19475 times