African Studies and Water Issues analyst
Ayman Abd El Wahab of al Ahram Center for Strategic Studies in Cairo
said Egypt needs compensation. He argued that Ethiopia has crossed the
line from usurping Egypt's historic rights to the Nile to threatening
national security. He pointed out that Egypt is alone among the Nile
Basin countries to rely almost exclusively on the Nile for its water
supply.
Water ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia and
Sudan are meeting in Khartoum to try to resolve differences over
Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam. Egyptian officials remain worried the Nile
project threatens the nation's security.
Egyptian, Ethiopian and Sudanese officials hope to reach an agreement on the Renaissance Dam, which has angered Egyptian officials and brought forth repeated objections to the project.
This second round of tripartite talks follows a shift in allegiances among the three countries. Sudan has historically sided with Egypt in claiming the lion's share of the river's water and veto rights over upstream developments. But last week, Khartoum lent its support to Ethiopia's drive to complete construction.
Ethiopian officials have tried to bring Sudan and others on board by offering access to future electricity generated by the dam. They argue the project should be seen as a pan-African effort.
Egyptian, Ethiopian and Sudanese officials hope to reach an agreement on the Renaissance Dam, which has angered Egyptian officials and brought forth repeated objections to the project.
This second round of tripartite talks follows a shift in allegiances among the three countries. Sudan has historically sided with Egypt in claiming the lion's share of the river's water and veto rights over upstream developments. But last week, Khartoum lent its support to Ethiopia's drive to complete construction.
Ethiopian officials have tried to bring Sudan and others on board by offering access to future electricity generated by the dam. They argue the project should be seen as a pan-African effort.
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