Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that his country has numerous scenarios for dealing with the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, emphasizing that each situation has an appropriate response.
According to statements made by the Egyptian minister on the "Al-Hekaya" program hosted by journalist Amr Adib, Shoukry confirmed that Egypt insists on reaching an agreement regarding the Ethiopian dam. He stated that Egypt has repeatedly affirmed it does not oppose Ethiopia's use of water resources, provided that it does not cause harm to any of the downstream countries, namely Egypt and Sudan.
The Egyptian minister emphasized Egypt's commitment to the negotiation process since the beginning of the dam crisis, distancing itself from political and diplomatic arrogance amidst Ethiopian obstinacy and maneuvering. He noted that it is better not to speculate negatively about the second filling of the dam, indicating that this does not mean that Egyptian state institutions are unaware of this possibility, asserting that they are preparing to handle this scenario.
Shoukry pointed out that Egypt, through all its institutions, considers the interests of its people and is unwavering in ensuring the rights of Egyptians, working diligently to prevent harm to them. He highlighted that Egypt had hoped the negotiation process regarding the Ethiopian dam, led by the African Union under South Africa's leadership, would yield different results than previous experiences, stating that these negotiations did not address the technical issue in the manner Egypt expected and desired.
He explained that Sudan and Ethiopia had different visions regarding the negotiation framework, with Sudanese counterparts wishing to change the negotiation approach. The Egyptian minister stressed that Egypt is hopeful for the resumption of negotiations and looks forward to greater coordination with Sudanese brothers, especially with the formation of the new Sudanese government to develop a plan for the next steps.
A member of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council, General Shams al-Din al-Kabashi, stated that Ethiopia has been committing acts similar to Israeli settlement expansion in its encroachments on Sudanese territory in the Fashaqa region. Al-Kabashi added, "What Ethiopia lacks is only the courage to declare war in light of its ongoing assaults and troop mobilization at the border," as reported by "Sudan Tribune," stressing that the Sudanese forces would not retreat an inch from the lands they have reclaimed in the Fashaqa area from the Ethiopian side.
He affirmed that Sudan has regained a significant percentage of 90% of its territories and noted that only about three points remain, which he hopes will be resolved through negotiations without needing to reclaim them by force. He added, "These areas remain, ultimately, usurped Sudanese lands that the Sudanese forces have a duty to recover and protect the borders and the homeland," revealing that the remaining point in the Sudanese Fashaqa is the "Qatran" settlement, which he noted is established and includes roads and factories.
