Sudan’s FM meets Ugandan president over GERD issue
May 1, 2021(KHARTOUM) – Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi briefed Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni about Sudan’s position on the stalled talks over the GERD filling and operation.
Al-Mahdi is visiting a number of East African countries to inform them about the Sudanese proposition for an African Union-led mediation including the European Union, United Nations and the United States.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Sudanese foreign ministry said al-Mahdi met with Ugandan President at the State House in Entebbe.
Al-Mahdi briefed Museveni about the outcome of the recent negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the Sudanese position to reach an agreement that opens the way to common interests.
Also, the minister informed him about all steps taken by Sudan to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the Renaissance Dam, added the statement.
“By its intransigence and refusal (to strike a deal), Ethiopia becomes the aggressor who buys time to inflict harm on others,” emphasized the statement.
Sudan seeks to bring the region and the international community to put pressure on Addis Ababa to sign a binding agreement on the GERD filling and operation.
The Sudanese government says this agreement is vital to protect the downstream country from the risks of the giant dam and its negative environmental impacts.
The Sudanese foreign ministry on Friday issued a statement condemning statement by Ethiopian officials denouncing the signed border demarcation agreements saying this propaganda is motivated by “domestic political reasons” referring to upcoming Ethiopian elections.
The Sudanese minister is expected to fly to Rwanda and conclude its tour by a meeting in Kinshasa with the Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi who chairs the African Union.
Sudan has already filed a complaint to the UN Security Council and threatened to sue Ethiopia before the International Court of Justice, the Human Rights Commissions, and the COMESA Court.
Earlier this year, the Sudanese government released a report t on the GERD’s impact showing the damages caused by the unilateral first filling of the GERD reservoir with only 4.9 billion cubic meters.
(ST)