Egyptian media has revealed that the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a second official message to the Security Council, complaining about Ethiopia and supporting Sudan's request for an urgent session regarding the Renaissance Dam. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stated in the message published by Egyptian media that the situation poses an imminent threat to international peace and security, necessitating the Council's immediate attention. The message called for an urgent session under the agenda of peace and security in Africa, emphasizing that after 10 years of negotiations, the issue has escalated to its current state, which could lead to international friction and endanger continuing international peace and security.
The message noted that Egypt chose to present this matter to the international Security Council in accordance with Article 35 of the Charter. This comes as Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized during a phone call with Sudan's Foreign Minister Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi the need to intensify negotiations between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to resolve the remaining discrepancies in the Renaissance Dam file as soon as possible. Sputnik reported that Lavrov stressed the necessity of "respecting the interests of all parties concerned based on the customs and principles of international law."
The Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs quoted Mahdi saying that "Sudan is keen on resolving the dispute with Ethiopia amicably and establishing peace and security in the region." The Sudanese Foreign Minister called on Russia to "urge Ethiopia not to unilaterally proceed with the second filling... and to resume negotiations to reach a legally binding agreement that satisfies all parties within a specific timeframe."
A few days earlier, Egypt had also submitted an official letter to the Security Council, complaining about Ethiopia and announcing its objection to Addis Ababa's unilateral decision to proceed with the second filling of the Renaissance Dam. The Foreign Ministry's letter registered Egypt's objection to Ethiopia's announcement of its intention to continue filling the dam during the upcoming rainy season, expressing Egypt's complete rejection of the Ethiopian approach aimed at imposing a fait accompli on the downstream countries through unilateral actions, which constitute a clear violation of applicable international law.
Official Document
Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, stated that the Foreign Minister's letter, which was circulated as an official document to the Security Council, discloses to the international community the reality of Ethiopia's obstinate positions that have thwarted efforts over the past months to reach a fair, balanced, and legally binding agreement concerning the Renaissance Dam within the negotiations led by the African Union.
He mentioned that a comprehensive file regarding the Renaissance Dam issue and Egypt's perspective on it has also been submitted to the Security Council, serving as a reference for the international community on this issue and documenting the constructive and responsible positions Egypt has taken over a decade of negotiations, highlighting its genuine efforts to reach an agreement that considers the interests of all three countries and protects their rights.
The dam crisis among the three countries has reached a deadlock, as Ethiopia insists on proceeding with the second filling amid objections from Egypt and Sudan, and the failure of African and international mediation efforts to reach an agreement.
Sudan rejected an Ethiopian proposal regarding the second filling, which included data exchange and temporary agreement, while Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, stated that his country is conducting extensive contacts at the level of Security Council members to convene the Council regarding the dam crisis. He emphasized that Egypt seeks, through the Security Council, to reach a legally binding agreement regarding the dam, expressing hope that the Council will affirm the necessity of achieving a binding agreement. He mentioned that Egypt continues to consult with various parties as part of ongoing efforts since expressing goodwill and the desire to reach an agreement that meets Ethiopia's needs while protecting the water interests of Egypt and Sudan.
