Moment of Truth... Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Agreement

Tribute to President Abdel Fattah El Sisi who bet on the language of reason, fraternity, love and confidence regarding Egypt's water rights. He wasn’t driven by the causes of discord, sedition and populism that threatened our clear rights in the waters of the Nile.

A special tribute to the Egyptian delegation, all the negotiating committees of the three countries, the United States and the World Bank in negotiations on the conditions for operating Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. They all deserve credit for the initial success they made in achieving the higher interests of peoples.

Thanks to those who held intensive talks day and night to complete the operating agreement and the final signature, as they promised,  before the end of February, without resorting to legal confrontations.

After 9 years of stalled negotiations and tension among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the Renaissance Dam, we are waiting for an end to this crisis known as the Renaissance Dam, built by Addis Ababa on the Blue Nile, through overcoming the remaining outstanding points, and concluding the final agreement by the end of this month...

This was confirmed by the statement issued by the three countries last Friday. the statement assigned the technical and legal committees to continue their meetings in Washington in order to finalize the agreement, while the ministers of foreign affairs and water resources of the three countries will meet in Washington on February 12 and 13 to approve the final version of the agreement to sign it by the end of February 2020.

Before I expressed my pleasure at the promising signs of the preliminary agreement terms, I hope that the agreement will include the affirmation of Egypt's water rights in the Blue Nile and the White Nile, so as not to expose these rights to any harm in the future, while a mechanism will be set to implement and abide by the agreement regardless of the political uncertainties in this region.

There should be clear and transparent obligations through which Egypt and Sudan, in addition to the Ethiopian side, should participate in security, safety and operating requirements.

We, along with the Egyptian foreign affairs and water resources ministries, express appreciation for the role played by the World Bank and the American administration, especially US Treasury Secretary Stephen Mnuchin and his team in order to reach a comprehensive, fair and balanced agreement that achieves the interests of the three countries on this vital issue affecting the entire region – especially the Egyptian people, for whom the Nile represents their lifeblood.

I hope that all parties abide by their responsibilities.