This archive report was first published on 18 June 2020.
On June 17, 2020, Sudan's Irrigation and Water Resources Minister Yasir Abbas announced the country's rejection of the unilateral filling of Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) without an agreement between Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia.
At a press conference in Khartoum, Abbas stated, "Sudan does not accept unilateral filling of the dam without signing an agreement."
Abbas also proposed referring the issues of difference over the GERD to the political leadership in the three countries.
The Sudanese minister emphasized Sudan's support for the right of any country to use water equitably without causing harm.
Abbas described the negotiations' atmosphere as "positive" to reach a deal before July 1.
The three countries have been holding regular video meetings since June 9 to discuss issues related to the filling and operation of the GERD, with observers from the United States, the European Union Commission, and South Africa in attendance.
Leaders of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia signed the Declaration of Principles in March 2015, committing to reaching an agreement regarding the GERD through cooperation.
Construction on the GERD began in 2011, and the dam is now scheduled to be completed in three years at a cost of USD4.7 billion.
