Sudan affirms Ethiopia’s right to use Nile waters without harming other nations

May 9, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese minister of Water Resources and Electricity Moatez Moussa affirmed Ethiopia’s right to use its available water resources as long as it does not cause any harm to other nations.

The Sudanese president Omer Hassan al-Bashir, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn signed a framework agreement last March relating to the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) that is under construction by Addis Ababa.

The accord stated that the three countries would accept the recommendations of the consultancy firm which is supposed to study the impact of GERD on Egypt and Sudan.

It also underscores the need to guarantee the rights of downstream Nile basin countries not to be affected by GERD and to maintain the mutual interests.

The principles in the agreement include giving priority to downstream countries for electricity generated by the dam, a mechanism for resolving conflicts, and providing compensation for damages.

The Sudanese minister, in remarks to the Ethiopian media delegation which arrived in Khartoum on Friday, stressed the importance of having Ethiopia negotiate within the framework of mutual cooperation regarding the operation and filling of GERD.

He pointed out that GERD represents an important step in strengthening joint cooperation between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia.

Moussa hailed GERD project saying it achieves economic integration between the three countries.

Ethiopia launched the massive Hydro power dam project in 2011 despite stiff resistance from Egypt which insists on preserving its historical rights in the Nile water.

(ST)