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Al-Ahram Weekly
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Necessary coordination on the GERD - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced last week that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been completed and will be officially inaugurated in September. The latest statement builds on a previous one in the Ethiopian parliament in March that also highlighted the fact that the dam is complete, said Abbas Sharaki, professor of geology at Cairo University. The statements are primarily directed at the Ethiopian people, who have long awaited the completion of the dam and its claimed benefits, Sharaki said. The Ethiopian statements use frequently repeated phrases such as the 'GERD is a shared opportunity,' the '[GERD is] not threatening or harming to Egypt,' and Ethiopia is 'willing to engage constructively' on the GERD, Sharaki added. Ahmed had not only stated that the dam poses no threat to Egypt but had also said that the water in Egypt's Aswan High Dam had not decreased by a single litre and extended a provocative invitation to Egypt and Sudan to attend the dam's opening ceremony, Sharaki noted. Egypt has repeatedly and firmly expressed its rejection of Ethiopia's unilateral acts in building and operating the dam without reaching a legally binding agreement on its filling and operation. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan stressed their rejection of any unilateral measures taken by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile during their meeting in Cairo last week. Egyptian Minister of Water Resources Hani Sewilam recently highlighted Egypt's firm rejection of Ethiopia's repeated unilateral measures with regard to the GERD. 'Ethiopia has taken these measures without a binding agreement with the downstream countries and despite genuine concerns by Egypt and Sudan,' Sewilam noted. He described the Ethiopian acts as 'a clear violation of international law,' especially regulations related to the fair and equitable use of international waterways and the prevention of causing harm to neighbouring countries. Sewilam's statement came during a meeting between Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and ambassadors who will soon start their terms in Egyptian diplomatic missions abroad. The meeting was held in the headquarters of Egypt's Foreign Ministry in Cairo. Abdelatty described water security as a potential existential threat, stressing that the country would not allow its historical Nile water rights to be compromised. In a recent television interview, Abdelatty noted that Egypt's annual water needs exceed 90 billion cubic metres (bcm), while its Nile share stands at just 55.5 bcm. Per capita water availability is under 500 cubic metres per year, well below the United Nations water poverty threshold of 1,000. 'This poses a major challenge for the state… placing Egypt in a state of severe water scarcity,' he said. The concrete work at the GERD has already been completed, and six of the 13 turbines have been installed. Two were installed in February and August 2022, two in August 2024, and the last two were tested in February this year. According to Sharaki, the original plan of the GERD was to install 16 turbines, but those were later reduced to 13 for no clearly stated reasons. The claim that the GERD does not pose a threat to Egypt and Sudan is also not correct. 'The dam's capacity has increased from 11.1 billion cubic metres in the original US study to 64 billion cubic metres, which presents a genuine threat to an area fraught with geological problems such as earthquakes as well as annual flooding, making it a water bomb that could explode at any moment,' Sharaki said. In addition, withholding 60 billion cubic metres of water over five years without agreement has caused significant harm, costing Egypt more than LE500 billion in measures to ease the dam's harmful impacts on its citizens. The 1929 and 1959 treaties gave Egypt and Sudan their present water quotas of 55.5 and 18 bcm, respectively, of Nile water. It also gave them the right to veto projects on the Nile that would deprive them of their share of water. But Ethiopia said it should not be bound by these treaties, and it started building the dam in 2011. Between 2020 and 2024, Ethiopia unilaterally completed the dam's five-stage filling and began operating the turbines without an agreement on filling or operations with Egypt and Sudan. In December 2023, Cairo announced the end of negotiations on the dam, citing Ethiopia's refusal to seriously engage on proposed legal or technical solutions. Returning to the negotiating table as soon as possible remains Egypt's demand and pragmatic option, Sharaki said. The present and future operation of the GERD requires draining water either through the turbines or flood gates and then refilling it during the rainy season from July to September, explained Sharaki, adding that these steps require continuous coordination to avoid any damage to Egypt and Sudan and to benefit Ethiopia. 'The full storage of water behind the dam without coordination poses a genuine risk to Sudan in the first place and then to Egypt,' he concluded. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Iraqi News
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
Sudan Reaffirms Commitment to Principles of Joint Arab Action
Baghdad-INA Sudanese Sovereign Council member Ibrahim Jaber reaffirmed on Saturday Sudan's unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and the right of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state. Jaber said in a speech he delivered at the 34th session of the Arab Summit, which was followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA):Speaking at the 34th Arab League Summit in Baghdad, Jaber stated, 'Sudan supports the Palestinian people's right to a sovereign state that ensures their existence and national identity, with East Al-Quds as its capital." He noted the grave challenges currently facing the Arab region and emphasized Sudan's commitment to implementing the roadmap outlined by the Baghdad Summit to confront those challenges effectively. Jaber also called on the summit to endorse Sudan's proposed development initiative, which focuses on promoting investment and strengthening the agricultural sector. He stressed that such support is vital for enabling the Sudanese people to rebuild their nation, which has been deeply affected by the ongoing conflict.
Jordan News
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Jordan News
Al-Burhan Arrives in Cairo to Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation with Egypt - Jordan News
Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, arrived today, Monday, in the Egyptian capital, Cairo. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi is set to meet with Al-Burhan to discuss ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and support efforts to restore stability and development in Sudan, according to a statement by Egyptian Presidential Spokesman Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy. اضافة اعلان The spokesperson added that the meeting will also include consultations on a number of regional issues.
Leaders
29-03-2025
- Politics
- Leaders
Saudi Crown Prince, Sudan's Al-Burhan Discuss Security, Bilateral Ties
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman welcomed the Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman, Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan at Al-Safa Palace in Makkah on Friday. The two leaders discussed the latest developments in Sudan and the ongoing efforts to achieve peace and stability in the country. During their discussions, both leaders reviewed the prospects for bilateral cooperation. They agreed to establish a coordination council aimed at enhancing relations in various fields. This initiative intends to serve mutual interests and promote stability and development in Sudan. Al-Burhan's visit comes just a week after the Sudanese army regained control over the presidential palace from the Rapid Support Forces. Additionally, the army has secured complete control over Khartoum. Al-Burhan emphasized that the military aims to create conducive conditions for an elected civilian government to take power. #فيديو_واس | سمو #ولي_العهد يستقبل فخامة رئيس مجلس السيادة السوداني ويستعرضان مستجدات الأوضاع في السودان والجهود المبذولة تجاهها بما يحقق الأمن والاستقرار في السودان الشقيق. #واس — واس الأخبار الملكية (@spagov) March 28, 2025 Saudi Arabia's Firm Stance on Sudan Saudi Arabia continues to reinforce its unwavering support for Sudan's security and stability and its territorial integrity. The Kingdom has previously urged the conflicting parties in Sudan to prioritize the nation's interests over factional interests. Moreover, Saudi Arabia called for adherence to the agreements established in the Jeddah Declaration signed on 11 May, 2023. The Kingdom urged the warring parties to cease hostilities and end the conflict, ensuring humanitarian aid reached those affected. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Riyadh's commitment to supporting Sudan's stability and preserving the authority and independence of its legitimate institutions. It emphasized that a political solution is the only path to ending the crisis in Sudan. The summit, attended by several officials, concluded with an iftar banquet hosted by the Crown Prince, reflecting the strong fraternal ties between Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The discussions highlighted a commitment to ongoing cooperation on various mutual concerns. This meeting marks a significant step in bolstering Saudi-Sudanese relations and contributing to regional stability, as the Kingdom continues advocating for regional stability, urging all parties to embrace dialogue. This summit marks a critical step toward Sudan's recovery and enduring peace. Short link : Post Views: 191
