Egypt has urged the U.S. administration to pressure for the formation of an international initiative to resolve the longstanding crisis regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, according to sources from Al Arabiya/Al Hadath, reported today, Saturday. The sources indicated that the head of Egyptian intelligence, General Abbas Kamel, held consultation sessions with prominent American officials to discuss various issues during his current visit to Washington, including the file on the Ethiopian dam.
The sources confirmed that Cairo explicitly requested an international initiative to address the crisis among the three countries (Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia). Furthermore, the Egyptian intelligence chief asked Washington to present its vision regarding this long-standing issue to prevent its escalation. He proposed a return to the agreement previously brokered by the U.S., which the three countries were supposed to sign before Ethiopia expressed reservations and declined.
Kamel explained to American officials that the failure to reach a binding agreement threatens the stability of the region and the lives of people in the concerned countries, creating significant crises. He called for U.S. pressure to encourage Ethiopia to halt escalation and the second filling of the dam until a binding agreement is reached among the downstream countries.
Additionally, the information indicated that Cairo clearly requested Washington to hold a meeting with the three parties to reach a binding and legal agreement that protects the interests of Cairo and Khartoum, reaffirming its commitment to international mediation to resolve the dam crisis. The Egyptian official emphasized the necessity of establishing a timeline for negotiation pathways.
On the other hand, the information noted that the U.S. is currently examining how it will intervene in this matter to bridge viewpoints and prevent tensions from escalating among the parties involved. It is noteworthy that the recent days have seen increased escalation and tension in positions between Ethiopia and Egypt. After Addis Ababa complained to the Security Council about Cairo, the latter confirmed that Ethiopia has stalled for years and disregarded all proposals presented during negotiations.
The issue has been unresolved for years, and both Cairo and Khartoum have previously renewed their call for international assistance to help resolve their ongoing dispute with Ethiopia over the massive dam that Addis Ababa is building on the Blue Nile, the main tributary of the Nile River. They also insisted on the necessity of reaching a binding international agreement that regulates the filling stages and the amount of water released by Ethiopia into the river, especially in case of prolonged drought, which Ethiopia rejects.
Both countries consider the Ethiopian plan to add 13.5 billion cubic meters of water in July 2021 to the dam reservoir as a threat to them. Meanwhile, Addis Ababa maintains its plans, asserting that the $5 billion dam is essential for the vast majority of its population who lack electricity.
