Egypt, Ethiopia Pledge to Resolve Nile Dam Dispute within Four Months

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi warmly welcomed Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, on Thursday to continue bilateral discussions between the two nations.

According to a joint statement released by the two countries, both leaders reiterated their mutual political determination to strengthen the ties between their countries, in political, economic, and cultural spheres. This shared determination springs from a mutual desire to achieve common interests and foster prosperity for their respective citizens. This, in turn, will effectively contribute to stability, peace, and security in the region, and bolster the capacity of both nations to address shared challenges.

The two leaders also engaged in discussions on ways to overcome the current deadlock in the negotiations surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). In this regard, they agreed on the following points:

The initiation of urgent negotiations to finalize the agreement between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan on the filling and operation of the GERD. They pledged to exert all necessary efforts to conclude it within four months.

Ethiopia, during these negotiations, has clarified its commitment not to cause significant harm to Egypt and Sudan during the filling of the dam in the hydrological year 2023-2024. This commitment safeguards the water needs of both countries.

This meeting between the heads of state underscores the pivotal role of diplomacy and open dialogue in managing shared resources and addressing regional challenges. The ongoing negotiations hold the promise of a mutually beneficial resolution that secures the interests of all parties involved.