This archive report was first published on 24 July 2020.
Published on July 24, 2020, the African Union's mediation in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute has been welcomed by Kenya and its peers in the Nile Basin.
The three countries - Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt - have been at odds over the dam's operation, with Ethiopia beginning to fill the dam despite concerns from its downstream neighbors.
At a meeting of the African Union Bureau of Heads of States, President Uhuru Kenyatta emphasized the importance of the AU's mediation, stating, 'This process has vividly shown that 'African solutions to African problems' is the way to go. We can resolve our disputes through negotiations and mediation within the framework of the African Union.'
The Nile Basin includes 10 countries, with Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt sharing the water or contributing to the world's longest river.
However, the three countries - Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan - have bickered over the dam, with Ethiopia putting up the facility on the Blue Nile, which contributes 85% of the river's water.
Kenya has cautioned that unilateral decisions in the future could jeopardize the search for a solution, urging all stakeholders to continue adhering to the commitment and refrain from taking actions that may jeopardize the negotiation process.
