Dr. Mostafa El Feki, Director of the Library of Alexandria, said that Egypt has presented its case regarding the crisis of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in a clear and prestigious way, praising the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry's speech in the UNSC's session.
During the session, Shoukry showed respect to Sudan and Ethiopia's rights for development and partnership, meanwhile he maintained Egypt’s pride and its great history.
El-Feki added that Egypt is always provides help to friendly countries, despite the difficult economic conditions, in carrying out many development projects through the Egyptian-African Development Agency, which sends about 300 experts, engineers and doctors to African countries in a yearly-basis.
Recently, Shoukry urged the U.N. Security Council to adopt a resolution to resolve the dispute over the hydroelectric dam. He pleaded that the construction of the dam endangers the lives of 150 million Egyptians and Sudanese.
Egyptian sources pointed out that the draft resolution is in line with the outcome of an African Union summit held recently where the leaders of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia agreed to return to talks aimed at reaching an agreement.
Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopian dispute over GERD
The dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is now on the table at the U.N. Security Council at the request of Egypt and supported by the United States.
El-Feki explained that he had contacted Shoukry to greet him after his speech at the UN Security Council, who told him that his powerful speech was derived from Egypt's firm position in demanding its historical right in the Nile waters.
He pointed out that Ethiopia has internal turmoil these days and is trying to cover its failure in dealing with such matters by striking a wedge between Egypt and the African countries.
He said that the problem is not over the period set for filling of the dam, but regarding Ethiopia's provocative remarks that Egypt has no historical rights in the waters of the Nile, pointing out to the Egyptian-Sudanese consensus on the possible damages caused by the GERD dam.
The GERD, when completed will become Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, has been a source of tension in the Nile basin. Ethiopia started construction of the dam a decade back. Since then, the project is mired in controversies and disputes.
Ethiopia says that the UNSC does not have any jurisdiction over the project, since it is merely a development one and not infringing the sovereignty of any country.
Addis Ababa decided to start filling the reservoir in July. In the meantime, Cairo sees the renaissance dam as a threat to international security, while Sudan fears its negative impact on its population.
The Nile supply both water and electricity to the 10 countries through their territories the river passes through.
Contributed by Ali Abu Dashish
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