Egypt’s signing of tripartite agreement on Ethiopian dam appears uncertain
March 19, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Egyptian presidency officially confirmed that president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will travel to Addis Ababa next Tuesday for talks with Ethiopian officials that would focus on the dispute regarding the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The statement by Cairo made no mention of a tripartite framework agreement that was supposed to be signed in Khartoum on the same day. The text of the accord was sealed by foreign affairs and water resources ministers in the three countries following meetings in Khartoum earlier this month.
But the Egyptian leader called for revising the accord during a meeting this week with ministers of foreign affairs, irrigation and water resources, international cooperation as well as head of intelligence in Cairo.
He asked that his cabinet review all technical and legal aspects of the proposed agreement.
Adding to the confusion was a statement made by head of Ethiopia’s government’s communication affairs office Redwan Hussein who said today that el-Sisi will start a three-day visit on Monday.
“El-Sisi is also scheduled to address the Ethiopian Parliament as part of his visit,” Hussein added.
Yesterday the Cairo-based al-Masry al-Youm newspaper said that El-Sisi would head to Addis Ababa on Monday seeking amendments to the agreement thus throwing doubts on the signing ceremony.
Sudanese foreign minister Ali Karti had described this event as “historic” that will be attended by officials from several neighboring and friendly countries.
Karti further said that this accord will form the basis of future detailed agreements that will be negotiated.
Today the foreign ministry of Sudan affirmed that the signing will still proceed as planned on Monday.
Local Egyptian newspapers quoted government sources as saying that Cairo has not yet decided to sign the agreement.
Egypt’s Minister Hussam Maghazi told al-Mostagbal newspaper that experts are going over the text before it is cleared for signature.
He stressed that the agreement will be binding to the three countries to abide by the recommendations of the international consultancy firm, adding that Addis Ababa will have to adjust the dam specifications if Cairo is proven to be harmed.
The three countries had previously formed a committee to select a consultancy firm to assess the likely impact of GERD on Sudan and Egypt. Four consultancy firms from France, Australia and Holland had been shortlisted and invited to submit their proposals.
Egypt fears the dam will negatively affect its traditional share of water from the Nile, its only source of water which has been determined by a colonial-era water-sharing treaty.
Ethiopia, for its part, says the project is indispensable to its own national development and the economic welfare of its burgeoning population.
(ST)