Moments ago, the official Ethiopian Radio and Television Authority published an amendment to what it had reported earlier over the filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Hours ago, the Ethiopian irrigation minister announced the start of filling the dam, prompting reactions from Egypt and Sudan over the latest position by Addis Ababa.
The state TV offered an apology for what it called "misinterpretation" of the reports published on its pages on social media.
The authority confirmed that the announcement of the Ethiopian Minister of Water and Irrigation, Selicie Bekele, "is only the continuation of negotiations" on the Renaissance Dam and that talks on the dam will continue, and that the filling of the dam will be in accordance with the pre-set construction plan of the dam.
According to the Minister of Irrigation, the height of the dam has increased from 525 feet to 560 this year, but he has not mentioned whether Ethiopia has taken steps to collect water in the 74 billion cubic meter tank.
In Cairo, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had asked the Ethiopian government to provide urgent clarification on the validity of reports of the start of filling the Renaissance Dam.
The announcement came shortly after announcing that the negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia did not achieve any progress or an agreement.
Minister of Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday that the negotiations on GERD between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia will continue as per the African Union vision; however, the parties still did not reach an agreement.
Shoukry added that a report shall be submitted to the African Union, then a meeting between the presidents of the three countries shall be held to realize an agreement.
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