Sudan stresses the need for a legal solution to the Nile dam issue

• Omar Haddad
• . February 19, 2022
• . Update: February 19, 2022 6:49 pm
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Sudan–Sudan has stressed the need to reach a legal solution to the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. Sudan’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sadiq and acting Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Daw Al-Bait Abdul-Rahman met to review the developments of the GERD issue recently. The two leaders reassured Sudan’s stance to negotiation as an option for the legal solution to the issue of the GERD. The Foreign Ministry announced the news in a statement.

Reportedly, the meeting between the two leaders stressed the need to reach a legal solution under the patronage of the African Union (AU), so that it preserves Sudan’s water rights. Ethiopia wants to build the dam on the Nile River’s main tributary. However, Sudan deems the dam an “existential threat”. The dam appears to challenge Sudan’s water supply. Now, Sudan asserted its keenness to reach a binding legal agreement on operating the dam.

Reportedly, the acting Foreign Minister renewed support for Sudan’s negotiating team and its active participation in the GERD issue. Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia have been negotiating under the AU over legal issues related to the filling and operation of the GERD on the Nile River. Earlier, even Egypt asserted its keenness to reach a binding legal agreement on operating the dam.

Sudan and Egypt also called for the international community to help reach a legally binding deal. Sudan also requested the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and the African Union to help with the GERD issue. However, Ethiopia rejected the proposal. Ethiopia started building the GERD in 2011. Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly demanded a legally binding deal to operate the dam. Egypt and Sudan fear that the dam might affect their water shares, especially in times of drought.