This archive report was first published on 6 October 2019.
Published on October 6, 2019, Egypt has urged international mediation in talks over the Grand Renaissance Dam in Sudan, citing a deadlock in negotiations with Ethiopia.
The dam, under construction on the Blue Nile since 2012, has been a source of tension between the three countries, with Egypt concerned that it will severely reduce its water supplies.
Egypt's irrigation ministry said that Ethiopia rejected all proposals that take Egypt's water interests into account, presenting a proposal that lacked guarantees of the minimum water flow and how to deal with possible droughts.
The Egyptian presidency has called on the United States to play an active role in the issue, urging an international party to overcome the deadlock.
However, Ethiopia's foreign ministry rejected Egypt's call for international mediation, saying it was an unwarranted denial of the progress of talks.
The Grand Renaissance Dam is expected to begin generating power by the end of 2020 and will be fully operational by 2022, with a cost of $4 billion.
