A group of 22 civil society organisations (CSOs) has raised concerns about the tense situation that prevails between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
With its storage capacity of 74 billion cubic meters, GERD – in the final phase of construction – is the largest dam in Africa and the 15th largest hydroelectric power plant in the world.
But relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa have been strained over the filling and operation of the dam that has come upon the Blue Nile, one of the tributaries of the River Nile.
The CSOs, in a statement, said, ‘It is of great concern that some media pronouncement from top level authorities in these countries show no compromises, often hinting that the situation could degenerate into full-blown military confrontations.
‘The project is expected to have profound effects on the future of the three countries and the African sub-region.
‘While it represents an important development opportunity for Ethiopia as its prime owner, the impact of GERD on Sudan and Egypt cannot be overlooked’.
The CSOs, including African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS), African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies (ACJPS), Afrika Jom Centre, and Al-Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development (KACE), called on the UN Security Council to ensure that the disagreement between the three countries is resolved in a negotiated peaceful manner.
‘GERD is expected to boost socio-economic development in Ethiopia, regulate water flow and reduce the annual floods during the rainy season which will enable Sudan to better manage its irrigation and hydroelectric power system, the dam will dramatically change the water flow regime of the Blue Nile River by flattening its hydrograph thus causing significant negative impact on Sudan and Egypt’, the statement added.
It is therefore crucial that the three countries agree on a legally binding and acceptable formula to ensure that GERD is meticulously designed, constructed, filled and operated.
‘This is the only way to ensure that the negative effects of such a mega dam are properly addressed and mitigated in close consultation and coordination between the three countries’.
The CSOs called on the governments of Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to respect their obligations under the AU Constitutive Act and to negotiate in good faith.
They urged the UN Security Council to treat the dispute as a matter of top priority, and persuade the parties not to take unilateral measures concerning the technical and legal aspects of GERD.
Source: Dabanga
Photo source: Getty Images
