Stalemate Between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan over the Grand Renaissance Resolved
Ethiopia’s ambitious project the Grand Renaissance threatened to sour the relationship with its neighbors Sudan and Egypt, with the latter fearing the most. However, the three countries have now come to an understanding and signed an agreement with regards to the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was quoted saying that the project will not affect Egypt as previously feared.
With the new treaty signing, Egypt and Sudan were given more assurance that the dam project will be constructed putting the best interest of all countries at heart. Ethiopia will proceed with the construction of the dam, without affecting the water flow on River Nile to Sudan and Egypt where it is heavily depended on to sustain life and socio-economic activities.
The construction is expected to be complete by 2017, and the dam will generate up to 6,000 MW of power. Effectively becoming Africa’s biggest dam and at a price tag of $5 billion.
At the signing ceremony held in Khartoum, Sudan, the Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn said, “I confirm the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam will not cause any damage to our three states and especially to the Egyptian people.”
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