Introduction

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis has entered its tenth consecutive year and imposed itself recently after Cairo had submitted a fair technical proposal that takes into account the interests of Ethiopia and its electricity needs from the dam, without seriously damaging the Egyptian water interests and its share of water estimated at 55.5 billion cubic meters according to the agreements signed between Egypt and. All these agreements preserved the water resources of the two downstream countries, and pledged not to harm their water interests by establishing dams for projects that impede the flow of water to those countries without consulting the leaders of the three countries and agreeing between them.

In light of the negotiation deadlock among the three countries over four years since the start of direct negotiations regarding the agreement on Declaration of Principles in 2015 in Khartoum, which did not achieve any tangible results, an effective international role is needed to overcome the current stalemate in negotiations, bring the view of the three countries closer, and to reach a fair and balanced agreement based on respect for the principles of the international law governing the management and use of international rivers, which allows countries to benefit from their water resources without harming the interests and rights of other countries. Presidency Spokesman Bassam Rady recalled the speech delivered by President Abdel Fattah El Sisi during the UN General Assembly on Egypt’s openness to all international efforts to mediate in order to reach the aspired agreement.

First: Egypt's management of GERD following June 30 revolution:

Following June 30 revolution, Egypt took the negotiating option in dealing with the crisis of GERD, based on a set of governing rules, namely:

- Develop the bilateral relations between Egypt and Ethiopia;

- Share the confrontation of challenges facing the African continent;

- Expand the framework of cooperation and integration of objectives;

- Seek to find a common vision for both Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the repercussions of the establishment of the dam;

- Highlight the "all win" principle in the joint negotiations between the three countries; and

- Express concerns about the negative effects of the dam on water security, especially after the Malabo Declaration, which led to the resumption of negotiations again after an interruption of eight months and the signing of the declaration of principles of the GERD.

Second: Egypt’s proposal on the rules of filling and operating the GERD

The Egyptian vision for the procedures of filling the dam is based on clear principles, according to the "Declaration of Principles" signed by Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in March 2015. Article V of the Declaration specifies the necessity of cooperation in the procedures of filling the dam in order to ensure the development process without harming the interests of any party, implement the recommendations of the International Committee of Experts, and respect the final outputs of the Final Report of the Tripartite Committee of Experts on the recommended studies, in the Final Report of the International Committee of Experts during the various phases of the project.

It gives to the three countries the right to use the final outputs of the joint studies recommended in the report of the International Committee of Experts and agreed by the Tripartite Commission of Experts, with a view to agreeing on the guidelines and rules of first filling of the GERD, which encompass all different scenarios, in parallel with the process of building the dam, and agreeing on the guidelines and the annual operating rules of the GERD, which the owner of the dam may adjust from time to time.

The agreement affirms the need to notify the two downstream countries of any unforeseen or emergency circumstances that require a reset to the operation of the dam.

Egypt is keen to deepen the bonds of cooperation with the Nile Basin countries and understands that these countries, including Ethiopia, need to build projects on the Nile to serve their development plans, without harming the water interests of the two downstream countries, especially Egypt, which depends entirely on the Nile to meet its water needs. Egypt has always stressed the importance of the international community in playing a constructive role and in urging all parties to be flexible to reach a satisfactory agreement for all.

Third: The most important rounds of negotiations on the GERD

1 - 2011 rounds

In April 2011, the Ethiopian side announced the construction of the dam under the delicate conditions characterized by the imbalance following the January 25th, 2011 revolution.

The Ethiopian Prime Minister has proposed the formation of a joint tripartite technical committee, including the water ministers of the three countries, to meet and examine the issue of the dams in all its aspects and to reach a common vision and an agreement that would be a satisfactory formula for all parties.

Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, a delegation of irrigation experts in the Nile water sector, representatives of Foreign Ministry and other concerned bodies, including Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Nile Basin Countries represented Egypt at these meetings. The first meetings of the committee began on 28-29 November, 2011.

Egypt has entered in series of rounds of the Egyptian-Sudanese-Ethiopian talks characterized by Ethiopian stern attitude and intransigence which resulted in resorting to a global expert house to assess the dam and determine its effects and consequences. That stage ended in March 2015.

Talks have gone through many stages, which began with agreement on the formation of the International Committee of Experts to evaluate the project, including two experts from Sudan, two experts from Egypt and four international experts from Germany, France and South Africa in the fields of dam engineering, water resources planning, hydrological and environmental works and the social and economic impacts of dams

2 - 2014 rounds

Following a meeting between President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister, the Malabo Declaration was issued on June 28, 2014 in the form of a joint statement, stating that both parties had decided to form a supreme committee under their direct supervision to handle all aspects of bilateral and regional relations on the political, economic, social and security fields. The two sides also stressed the centrality of the Nile River as a basic resource for the life and existence of the Egyptians, as well as their awareness of the development needs of the Ethiopians. A number of principles have been agreed upon:

1 - Respect of principles of dialogue and cooperation as basis for achieving mutual gains, and avoiding harming each other.

2. Prioritize the establishment of regional projects to develop financial resources to meet the increasing demand of water and to address the water shortage.

3. Respect the principles of international law.

4. Immediate resumption of the works of the Tripartite Committee on GERD to implement the recommendations of the International Committee of Experts and respect the results of the studies to be carried out during the various phases of the dam project.

5 - Commitment of the Ethiopian government to avoid any potential damage from the GERD on Egypt’s use of water.

6- Commitment of the Egyptian government to hold constructive dialogue with Ethiopia, which takes into account its development needs and the aspirations of the Ethiopian people.

7- Commitment of the two States to work within the framework of the Tripartite Committee well intensions and consensus.

In August 2014, the fourth meeting of the irrigation ministers in the three countries convened in Khartoum after eight months of interruption, and a mechanism to implement the recommendations of the International Committee of Experts on the GERD was agreed upon.

The two sides signed the final statement under the auspices of Sudan, which states:

- The formation of quartet committee of experts from the three countries in addition to an international consulting company to conduct the two additional studies of the dam.

- The statement approved the selection of international experts to resolve any dispute that may arise during the final results in a maximum period of two weeks.

Then several rounds were held during 2014-2015. The terms of reference of the National Technical Committee and its procedural rules have been drafted and agreed on the general criteria to evaluate and select the international consulting companies entrusted with the work of the technical studies. Seven international consulting companies have been agreed upon and one of them has been selected for implementation.

3 - 2015 rounds

On March 23, 2015, the leaders of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have signed in this round a declaration of principles on the GERD, including 10 basic principles. Full text of 'Declaration of Principles' signed by Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia

On 22, 2015, the seventh round of technical committee meetings was held in Khartoum and it issued a statement containing the rules and frameworks of the works of two international consultants’ offices in carrying out the required studies of the GERD and set the date of August 12, 2015 to receive the revised technical offer.

On November 7-8, 2015, the ninth round of talks by the National Committee of GERD took place in Cairo, in the presence of the Ministers of Water Resources of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, with the participation of 12 experts from the members of the Committee. The meeting came in order to activate the agreed step regarding the implementation of the recommendations contained in the final report of the International Committee of experts for the GERD project. The aim of this round was to examine ways to push the recommended studies in the report of the International Committee of Experts regarding the impact of the GERD on Egypt and Sudan and discuss the points of disagreement between the two consulting companies which were clarified to the three countries.

Also, this round aimed to exposing the outcome of meetings to the ministers of the three countries to review the alternatives presented by the experts of the three countries to trespass the differences and review the different scenarios to settle the crisis before submission to the Ministers of Water Resources in Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia to take joint decisions to resolve and start in the implementation of technical studies of the project.

Egypt rejected the implementation of the technical studies of the GERD by only one company, pointing out what was agreed during the meetings of the fifth round of the tripartite national committee in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa in April, 2015, where two companies were chosen, not one company.

On December 27-28, 2015, a meeting was held to discuss the Egyptian concerns of the GERD, while the meeting resulted in signing the Khartoum document, which is a legal obligatory document binding the three countries and it responded to all concerns raised by the three countries.

4 - 2016 rounds

On January 6, 2016 in Addis Ababa, the technical meetings launched to study the Egyptian proposal to increase water-passing holes behind GERD from 2 to 4 gates, in the presence of a consultant from the Italian company ‘Salini’.

On January 8, 2016, the public relations officer of the Ethiopian Water Ministry announced his country's rejection of the Egyptian proposal to increase the water holes in GERD, stressing that Addis Ababa conducted extensive studies on the project before it started and does not need to be redesigned to increase the holes, noting that the two current holes in the dam provides sufficient water to the two downstream states "Egypt and Sudan".

On February 16, 2016, The meeting of tripartite national committee began at the level of experts from the three countries and a meeting was held with the French companies BRL and Artelia, responsible for preparing the studies on the effects of the GERD on Egypt and Sudan, where the joint technical presentation by the French companies was finalized by the experts of the tripartite national committee of the three countries.

5 - 2017 rounds

The ministerial meeting of the Nile Basin countries Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia held in October, 2017 to discuss some inquiries about the introductory report made by a French consultation body, which is responsible for the implementation of the technical studies.

On November 11-12, 2017, the tripartite technical committee meeting on the GERD at the ministerial level was held in Cairo, in the presence of Irrigation Ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, the meeting did not reach any agreement on adoption of the introductory report on technical studies of the GERD.

6 - 2018 rounds

January 2018: Egypt proposed the participation of the World Bank as a technical party with an impartial view to decide on the differences in the work of the GERD Tripartite National Committee. Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn asserted that Ethiopia rejected Egypt's request to include the World Bank in the tripartite technical committee's talks on the GERD.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry announced that an agreement has been reached, during the tripartite summit between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan, on ending the technical studies of the GERD within a month.

April 2018: A tripartite meeting on the GERD, at the level of the foreign affairs and irrigation ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, was held in Khartoum. The meeting comes per the results of the Addis Ababa tripartite summit that was held on the sidelines of the African Summit last January.

May 2018: The nine-way meeting on the GERD comes close to a path for resuming technical studies. The nine-way meeting gets close to setting a path for resuming studies and new proposals to support the technical course, in addition to serious measures for boosting cooperation and confidence-building.

June 2018: President Sisi said he agreed with the Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmad to enhance confidence and cooperation and continue efforts to overcome challenges as well as reaching a final agreement on the GERD. An agreement which could ensure Egypt’s incontrovertible water needs and rights of Nile River and also enhance the development and prosperity to the Ethiopian people, Sisi added. Abiy Ahmad said that he mulled with President Sisi means of boosting bilateral relations, asserting that the Ethiopians respect their Egyptian neighbors and brothers.

On June 24, 2018, an independent scientific research group on the GERD have begun meetings in Khartoum to discuss the options and strategies for filling the GERD’s lake. The working group included experts and academics from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia. The meeting also addressed observations of Egypt and Sudan on a proposal submitted by Ethiopia at the previous Cairo meeting.

7 – 2019 rounds

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said during a discussion session of the 7th youth conference, which was held in the New Administrative Capital on July 30 and 31, 2019, that Egypt estimates the crisis, pointing to the studies conducted to calculate the amount of water that will be withheld from Egypt with the start of the operation of the GERD. President Sisi added that we must agree with our brothers in Ethiopia on the period of filling the dam reservoir, in a way that we can bear the damage, and we must estimate the amount of water that we can afford to lose, which we can agree on.

On the results of tripartite meeting among irrigation ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia held in Cairo in early October 2019 to discuss the file of the GERD, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi on social media said that it has not resulted in any positive development, adding that “The Egyptian state, with all its institutions, is committed to protecting Egypt’s water rights in the River Nile. Egypt will continue to take the necessary political measures within the framework of the International Law to protect these rights. The Eternal Nile will continue to strongly stream, connecting the South and the North with the bond of history and geography”.

In the framework of the Egyptian efforts to put the international community before its responsibilities, President Sisi had presented Egypt's view on the GERD crisis to the international community during his speech before the 74th session of the UN General Assembly, stressing that "The Nile water is a matter of life and existence". He explained that Ethiopia is currently entering the phase of filling the dam unilaterally without the existence of agreements and regulatory framework for that stage with the participation of the three countries Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia is a risk indicator, which means reducing the amount of water reaching Egypt, thirsting the Egyptian citizen, destroying the agricultural area, and affecting the production of electricity.

8 - US-sponsored rounds

The Arab Republic of Egypt has welcomed the White House statement regarding the ongoing negotiations on the GERD. A White House press statement has said the United States supports Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan’s ongoing negotiations to reach a cooperative, sustainable, and mutually beneficial agreement on filling and operating the GERD. “All Nile Basin countries have a right to economic development and prosperity,” according to the White House statement. “The Administration calls on all sides to put forth good faith efforts to reach an agreement that preserves those rights, while simultaneously respecting each other’s Nile water quotas.”

Egypt has accepted a US invitation for a meeting with Sudan and Ethiopia over a protracted Nile dam dispute. The meeting would bring together foreign ministers of the three Nile basin countries to try to break the stalemate in talks on Ethiopia's giant hydropower dam.

In November 2019, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry participated in meetings held with the foreign ministers of Sudan and Ethiopia to discuss the GERD issue. The meetings were also attended by United States Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin in the presence of representatives for the World Bank. Shoukry pointed out that these meetings have yielded positive results that would help fix the path of negotiations. Four urgent trilateral meetings will be held at the level of water resources ministers and with the participation of representatives from the US and World Bank to reach an agreement on filling and operating the dam within a period of two months and by January 15, 2020, Shoukry said. During the period mentioned, Shoukry added that two meetings will be held in Washington at the invitation of US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin to assess the progress of negotiations.

The US Treasury issued a joint statement on the meetings saying that if an agreement is not reached by January 15, 2020, the foreign ministers agree that Article 10 of the 2015 Declaration of Principles will be invoked. Article 10 states that “The three countries commit to settle any dispute resulting from the interpretation or application of the declaration of principles through talks or negotiations based on the good will principle. If the parties involved do not succeed in solving the dispute through talks or negotiations, they can ask for mediation or refer the matter to their heads of states or prime ministers.”

On November 15-16, 2019, a round of discussions was held in Addis Ababa for the irrigation ministers with the participation of representatives of the United States and the World Bank as observers. It was agreed to continue consultations and technical discussions on filling and operating the GERD at a meeting in Cairo on December 2 - 3, 2019.

On December 2, 2019, Egypt hosted the second round of a four-meeting series between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the GERD to complete technical discussions on outstanding issues regarding the filling and operation of the Renaissance Dam in preparation for reaching a tripartite agreement by January 15, 2020.

On December 9, 2019, ministers of foreign affairs and irrigation of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia held a meeting in Washington within the framework of the road map that was developed to follow up and evaluate the progress of the technical negotiations.

On December 21, 2019, a technical meeting for Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to negotiate the rules of filling the reservoir of the GERD kicked off in Khartoum.

According to Mohamed Abdel-Ati, Egypt’s minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Cairo has shown flexibility in the negotiations. Egypt listened closely to Ethiopian concerns and expressed willingness to reconsider certain positions, demonstrating the constructive spirit it is bringing to the process of working together with Sudan and Ethiopia. He noted that the three parties agreed that the filling and operation of the dam should be carried out in a cooperative and coordinated manner that takes into account the annual water yield of the Blue Nile.

While the Sudanese minister stressed the need to adhere to international law, especially the principle of equitable use of water without causing harm to any party, expressing his hope to make progress during this round.

The Ethiopian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation confirmed that the process of filling of the reservoir is scheduled to begin in July 2020, thus there is a need to reach an agreement among all parties concerned.

On January 8-9, 2020, Addis Ababa witnessed the fourth meeting to complete discussions regarding filling and operating the GERD. Egypt confirmed its adherence to passing 40 billion cubic meters of Blue Nile water annually, as it is the average revenue of the Blue Nile during periods of droughts and prolonged droughts, as happened during the period of drought experienced by the Nile from 1978 to 1987. The Ministry of Irrigation indicated that the Ethiopian side demanded the passage of 35 billion cubic meters annually from the Blue Nile during filling periods and during periods of drought and prolonged drought.  It should be noted that the Blue Nile represents one of the tributaries of the Abyssinian and Lakes Plateaux, and it is one of the four main tributaries that feed the Nile.

The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation proposed an alternative formula linking operations of GERD and the High Dam to better promote the interests of both sides. Where a matrix was designed that includes the three proposals for the three countries to bring the views of each other closer to overcome the points of disagreement.

At the end of the final round of a four-meeting series among Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia on controversial GERD in Addis Ababa, the three countries failed to reach an agreement on the operating rules of the dam, announced Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation in a statement.

9 – 2020 rounds

On January 10, 2020, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the statement issued by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the ministerial meeting on the GERD, which was held on January 8-9, 2020 in Addis Ababa, has included many outright rejected fallacies, it also contained deliberate misinformation and distortion of facts, and provided an image that absolutely contradicts the course of the negotiations and Egypt's positions and technical proposals as well as the actual deliberations during this meeting and in the three precedent ministerial meetings which were held over the past two months to discuss the rules for the GERD filling and operation.

Egypt indicates that these four ministerial meetings did not lead to tangible progress due to Ethiopia's intransigence and its adoption of excessive positions that reveals its intention to impose a fait accompli and to extend its control over the Blue Nile in order to proceed towards the filling and operation of the GERD without the slightest consideration of the water interests of the downstream countries, Egypt in particular being the last downstream country, in contravention of Ethiopia's legal obligations under international treaties and norms, primarily the Declaration of Principles Agreement concluded on March 23, 2015, as well as the 1902 Agreement that Ethiopia concluded of its own free will as an independent state, and the 1993 Agreement in which it pledged not to harm Egypt's water interests; nevertheless, Ethiopia is seeking to control the Blue Nile, just as it does in other international rivers shared with sisterly countries.

Egypt affirms that this unfortunate Ethiopian approach was evident in the technical stances and proposals that it presented during the ministerial meetings, and which reflects Ethiopia's intention to fill the Dam’s reservoir without restrictions or applying any rules that provides genuine guarantees for the downstream countries and protects them from potential damage due to the filling process.

Moreover, Egypt clarifies that the reason for Ethiopia’s refusal to drain the natural discharge during the operation of the GERD is due to its intention to use this Dam, which only aims to generate electricity, to launch future projects and freely exploit the resources of the Blue Nile without paying attention to Egypt's water interests and rights, guaranteed by international law.

Egypt engaged in these negotiations in good faith and in a positive spirit that reflects its sincere desire to reach a just and balanced agreement in the common interests of Egypt and Ethiopia. This was reflected in the flexible and open ideas and technical models presented by Egypt during the meetings. Contrary to what the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry statement claimed, that Egypt requested to fill the GERD in a period of 12 to 21 years, Egypt did not specify a number of years for the filling of the Dam, in fact the three countries have agreed more than a year ago on filling the GERD in stages which the speed of their implementation depends on the Blue Nile annual discharge, the Egyptian proposal leads to filling the GERD in 6 or 7 years if the River’s discharge is average or above average during the filling period, in the event of a drought, the Egyptian proposal enables the GERD to generate 80% of its electricity production capacity, this means that the Ethiopian side will bear minimal burden in the case of a drought.

Contrary to the misconceptions in the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry statement regarding the definition of water deficit, Egypt proposed mechanisms and rules to adapt to the hydrological changes in the Blue Nile and to deal with drought years that may coincide with the GERD filling process, this includes slowing down the filling speed and using quantities of water stored in the Dam to limit the negative effects of the filling process during drought, and bridge the water deficit that the downstream countries may be exposed to, while preserving the GERD’s capacity of generating electricity at accelerated rates; however, Ethiopia insists that Egypt bears alone the burden of drought; this contradicts the rules of international law and the principles of justice and fairness related to international rivers.

Furthermore, Egypt expresses its astonishment that whenever it calls for the necessity of agreeing on effective steps to deal with any drought that may occur during the filling, Ethiopia declares its readiness to unilaterally fill the GERD, this has been rejected by Egypt throughout the negotiations as it constitutes an explicit violation of the 2015 Declaration of Principles Agreement and Ethiopia’s obligations under the rules of international law.

Egypt also denounces the allegations made in the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry statement claiming that Egypt seeks to monopolize the Nile waters; and points out that such empty statements and slogans - which may be issued for domestic use - does not help creating a favorable environment to achieve progress in negotiations.

Egypt will participate in the meeting convened by the US Secretary of Treasury with the Foreign and Water Ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia in Washington on January 13 and 14, 2020, out of its commitment to working honestly in order to reach a fair and balanced agreement, and in the context of its efforts to preserve the unwavering interests of the Egyptian people.

On January 13-15, 2020, Ministers Sameh Shoukry of Foreign Affairs and Mohamed Abdel Ati of Water Resources and Irrigation participated in negotiations in Washington on the GERD. The meeting was attended by US treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and World Bank President David Malpass. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said Egyptian and US officials held prolonged talks during which the Egyptian side expounded its vision on regulations that should be adopted to fill and operate the dam. This meeting was followed by a meeting between the Egyptian, Ethiopian and Sudanese ministers for foreign affairs and water. Technical talks were discussed at the ministerial level, the spokesman said.

Joint Statement of Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, the United States and the World Bank, January 15, 2020

Washington, DC – The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Water Resources and Irrigation of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and their delegations met with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of the World Bank, participating as observers, in Washington, D.C. on January 13-15, 2020. The Ministers noted the progress achieved in the four technical meetings among the Ministers of Water Resources and their two prior meetings in Washington D.C. and the outcomes of those meetings and their joint commitment to reach a comprehensive, cooperative, adaptive, sustainable, and mutually beneficial agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD.

Toward that end, the Ministers noted the following points, recognizing that all points are subject to final agreement:

1- The filling of the GERD will be executed in stages and will be undertaken in an adaptive and cooperative manner that takes into consideration the hydrological conditions of the Blue Nile and the potential impact of the filling on downstream reservoirs.

2- Filling will take place during the wet season, generally from July to August, and will continue in September subject to certain conditions.

3- The initial filling stage of the GERD will provide for the rapid achievement of a level of 595 meters above sea level (m.a.s.l.) and the early generation of electricity, while providing appropriate mitigation measures for Egypt and Sudan in case of severe droughts during this stage.

4- The subsequent stages of filling will be done according to a mechanism to be agreed that determines release based upon the hydrological conditions of the Blue Nile and the level of the GERD that addresses the filling goals of Ethiopia and provides electricity generation and appropriate mitigation measures for Egypt and Sudan during prolonged periods of dry years, drought and prolonged drought.

5- During long term operation, the GERD will operate according to a mechanism that determines release based upon the hydrological conditions of the Blue Nile and the level of the GERD that provides electricity generation and appropriate mitigation measures for Egypt and Sudan during prolonged periods of dry years, drought and prolonged drought.

6- An effective coordination mechanism and provisions for the settlement of disputes will be established.

The Ministers agree that there is a shared responsibility of the three countries in managing drought and prolonged drought.

The Ministers agreed to meet again in Washington, D.C. on January 28-29 to finalize a comprehensive agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD, and that there will be technical and legal discussions in the interim period.

The Ministers recognize the significant regional benefits that can result from concluding an agreement on the GERD with respect to transboundary cooperation, regional development and economic integration that can result from the operation of the GERD. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed the importance of transboundary cooperation in the development of the Blue Nile to improve the lives of the people of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan, and their shared commitment to concluding an agreement.

Discussions of technical and legal delegations

On January 22, 2020, legal and technical delegations from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia started their consultative meeting to resume talks about rules of filling and operating the GERD. The three countries are committed to reaching a comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable agreement about how to fill and operate the dam before the Washington meeting due on January 28-29, 2020. The delegates outlined a draft of the agreement as well as followed up on negotiations that took place among the foreign and irrigation ministers of the three countries in Washington on January 13-15.

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Water Resources of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and their delegations Had a meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of the World Bank, participating as observers in negotiations on the filling and operation of the GERD, in Washington, D.C. on January 28-31, 2020. At the conclusion of the meetings, the Ministers reached an agreement on the following issues, subject to the final signing of the comprehensive agreement:

1- a schedule for a stage-based filling plan of the GERD;

2- a mitigation mechanism for the filling of the GERD during drought, prolonged drought, and prolonged periods of dry years; and

3- a mitigation mechanism for the annual and long-term operation of the GERD in drought, prolonged drought, and prolonged periods of dry years.

They also discussed and agreed to finalize a mechanism for the annual and long-term operation of the GERD in normal hydrological conditions, a coordination mechanism, and provisions for the resolution of disputes and the sharing of information. Moreover, they also agreed to address dam safety and pending studies on the environmental and social impacts of the GERD.

The Ministers have instructed their technical and legal teams to prepare the final agreement, which shall include the agreements reached above, for a signing of the three countries by the end of February, 2020.

The Ministers recognize the significant regional benefits that will result from this agreement and from the operation of the dam with respect to transboundary cooperation, regional development and economic integration. The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of transboundary cooperation in the development of the Blue Nile to improve the lives of the people of Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan.

On February 3-5, 2020, meetings of the technical and legal technical and legal committees of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia were held in Washington in order to finalize the agreement. These committees will work until February 12-13, which is the date agreed upon between the three countries in Washington to approve the final version of the agreement in preparation for signing it by the end of February.

Ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan and their delegations Held a meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury and the President of the World Bank, participating as observers, to continue negotiations on the filling and operation of the GERD, in Washington, D.C. on February 12-13, 2020. The United States, with technical support from the World Bank, has agreed to facilitate the preparation of the final agreement for consideration by the Ministers and heads of state for conclusion by the end of February.

On February 27-28, 2020, a ministerial meeting among the water and foreign ministers of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan was held in Washington to crystalize a final agreement on the rules of filling and operating the GERD built by Ethiopia on their shared Nile River. Ethiopia announced that it had asked America to postpone the last round of talks and a spokesperson for the Ethiopian Ministry of Water and Irrigation said that Ethiopia needs more time for consultation. On the other hand, the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation emphasized that the delegations of Egypt and Sudan will participate in the Washington meeting in addition to representatives of the US government.

At the end of the meeting, Egypt has initialed an agreement drafted by the US regarding rules for filling and operating the GERD, the first of the three involved countries to do so.

In a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that the agreement preserves Egypt’s water interests and ensures they will not be seriously harmed. Egypt is eager for Sudan and Ethiopia to follow suit in accepting this agreement and signing it themselves as soon as possible, viewing the agreement as fair and balanced and reaching the common interests of all three countries. Expressing regret over Ethiopia’s absence from the meeting during this crucial negotiation stage, Egypt praised the US administration’s role in eagerly seeking to reach a final agreement between the three nations.

The US Treasury issued a statement stressing the importance of not starting to fill the dam without concluding an agreement between three countries, stressing that the US will continue to work with Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan until they sign an accord on a giant Blue Nile hydropower dam. US is looking forward to Ethiopia finalising its national consultations “as soon as possible to provide for the signing of the agreement at the earliest possible time”, after Egypt initiated the agreement as a sign of commitment. US noted the concern of the downstream residents in Sudan and Egypt because of the incomplete work on the safe operation of the dam, and the need to implement all necessary safety measures for the dams in accordance with international standards before filling began. The US stressed that final testing and filling should not be performed without agreement and be in line with the principles set out in the Declaration of Principles agreement, particularly the principles of not causing significant harm to any downstream country. The statement stated that the US believes that the work accomplished during the past four months has resulted in an agreement that addresses all issues in a balanced and fair manner, taking into account the interests of the three countries.

On June 9, 2020, irrigation ministers from the three countries held a meeting on Tuesday via video conference in the presence of international observers, including the United States, the European Union, South Africa, and the president of the African Union. The meeting came at the invitation of Sudan, three weeks after launching its initiative get the three countries to return to the negotiating table. “It is difficult to describe the meeting as positive or as having reached any significant result. It focused on procedural issues related to the schedule of meetings, the subjects of discussions, and the role and number of observers,” a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources read. The statement added that the meeting’s discussions reflected a trend on the Ethiopian side to want to reopen debate on all issues, including the proposals submitted by Ethiopia itself. The statement added that Ethiopia seems to want to discuss again everything that was previously negotiated in the talks that took place in Washington in February. Ethiopia also appears firm in its desire to begin filling the dam’s reservoir in July 2020, according to the statement.

Egypt emphasized it’s position, which includes:

- Requesting Ethiopia to announce that it will not take any unilateral action in filling GERD’s reservoir until negotiations are complete and an agreement is reached.

- The reference for the discussion is the February 21, 2020 document prepared by the United States and the World Bank, based on the three countries’ talks during the past several months.

- Observers to the negotiations should act as facilitators.

- The negotiation period to reach a full agreement on filling and operating the GERD will be from June 9 to June 13, 2020.

On June 11, 2020, the third meeting of irrigation ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia was held on the rules for filling and operating the GERD. During the meeting, Ethiopia presented a paper included a vision on how to fill and operate the GERD. Egypt and Sudan expressed reservations over the Ethiopian paper submitted and discussed during the third day of resumed the GERD tripartite meetings. Following the meeting, Egypt said the Ethiopian paper on filling and operating the GERD, inconsistent with the principles and rules previously agreed upon by the three countries [Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia] in the negotiations brokered by the United States and the World Bank. “It also considers to be wasting for all technical understandings reached in previous rounds of negotiations” Egypt’s government stated.

However; Egypt re-affirmed its commitment to the document brokered by the United States and the World Bank on the GERD on February 21st, in Washington, as “an equitable and balanced agreement, enables Ethiopia to achieve its development goals while preserving the rights of Egypt and Sudan”

Egypt stressed the need for Ethiopia to review its position that undermine the possibility of reaching an agreement. It was also noted that Ethiopia should refrain from taking any ‘unilateral measures’ in violation of its legal obligations, especially the provisions of the Declaration of Principles Agreement concluded in 2015.

Egypt also stressed the importance of Ethiopia to be negotiating with “good intentions”, similar to the approach that Egypt has taken since the negotiations began in order to sign a fair agreement that takes into account the interests of all three countries.

The flaws of the last Ethiopian proposal

The spokesperson for the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said that while Egypt showed more flexibility during the talks and accepted a compromise paper prepared by the brotherly Republic of Sudan, which would be a basis for negotiations between the three countries, Ethiopia presented, during the ministerial meeting, a disturbing proposal that includes its vision of the rules for filling and operating the GERD.

The Irrigation Ministry spokesperson pointed out that the Ethiopian proposal includes many flaws as follows:

First: At a time when Egypt and Sudan are seeking to reach a binding legal document that regulates the filling and operation of the GERD and preserves the rights of the three countries, Ethiopia hopes that a non-binding paper will be signed according to which the downstream country will give up their water rights and recognize Ethiopia’s unconditional right to use unilaterally the water of the Blue Nile, with fullness and operation of the GERD according to its individual vision.

Second: The Ethiopian proposal aims to waste all the agreements and understandings reached by the three countries during the negotiations spanning nearly a full decade, including the agreements reached in the recent rounds of negotiations with the participation of the United States and the World Bank.

Third: The Ethiopian paper does not provide any guarantees that secure the downstream country during periods of prolonged drought and does not provide any protection for them from the effects and grave damages that may result from filling and operating the GERD.

Fourth: The Ethiopian paper stipulates Ethiopia’s absolute right to change and amend the rules for filling and operating the GERD unilaterally in light of the rates of electricity generation from the dam and to meet its water needs, without even paying attention to the interests of the downstream countries or taking them into consideration.

Egypt refers the GERD crisis to the UN Security Council

On January 19, 2020, Egypt announced that it has filed a request to the UN Security Council, asking it to intervene in negotiations over the GERD after recent negotiations among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have reached a deadlock. In its request, Cairo asked the Security Council to “affirm the importance of the three countries resuming negotiations in good faith…in order to reach a fair and balanced solution to the GERD issue”. Egypt submitted the request depending on Article 35 of the United Nations Charter, which grants both member and non-member states the power to bring any dispute, or any situation that is likely to endanger international peace and security, to the attention of the Security Council.

The move comes after recent negotiations between the three countries over the dam have stalled due to Addis Ababa's negative attitudes and its insistence on proceeding with filling the dam unilaterally, in violation of the Declaration of Principles (DoP) signed by the three countries in Sudan on March 23, 2015. Egypt has always been keen to come up with an agreement that achieves the three countries' interests, without causing serious harm to any of them. Therefore, Egypt called on the Security Council to intervene and assume its responsibilities for averting any form of tension and preserving international peace and security.

On June 23, 2020, an extraordinary session of the Arab League Council meeting at the level of Foreign Ministers was held, via video conference, to discuss the file of the GERD. In his speech during the meeting, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry reviewed the outcome of the last round of the Sudan-hosted talks on the GERD, which saw an intransigent position of Ethiopia regarding several legal and technical points, as well as its insistence on starting to fill the dam's reservoir without reaching an agreement. Shoukry touched on a step taken by Egypt to ask the UN Security Council to intervene to prevent Ethiopia from starting to fill its dam or taking any unilateral action on that score. Filling the dam without reaching an agreement with Egypt and Sudan constitutes a clear violation of Ethiopia's international legal obligations, as well as the Declaration of Principles signed in 2015, which obliges Ethiopia not to cause any serious harm to the interests of the two downstream countries, Shoukry said. Shoukry voiced Egypt's appeal to all Arab countries to support it in the GERD file, which he said affects more than 150 million people living on the banks of the River Nile in both Egypt and Sudan. The foreign minister has appealed to all sisterly Arab states to support its moves to resume talks on the GERD in good faith.

On June 26, 2020, a virtual mini-summit grouping member states of the Bureau of the African Union Heads of State and Government was held to discuss the GERD file. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa chaired the meeting that was also attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Sudanese Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdouk.

Egypt is ready to resume negotiations with Sudan and Ethiopia to reach a fair and balanced agreement on filling and operating the GERD, President Sisi said. To ensure successful negotiations, all parties shall pledge not to make any unilateral decisions, as well as halt the dam's filling till reaching an agreement preserving the three countries' interests, Sisi added.

At the end of the summit, leaders of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia agreed to form an African Union-sponsored committee grouping legal and technical experts from the three countries to draft a final binding deal on the Ethiopian dam and avoid any unilateral action including the dam's filling before finalizing an agreement.

On June 29, 2020, the United Nations Security Council held an open session on the GERD issue. During the session, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed that filling and operating the Ethiopian dam unilaterally and without reaching an agreement protecting the rights of downstream countries would deepen tension and trigger conflicts that would consequently jeopardize regional stability.

In July 2020 a new round of the GERD negotiations was held, which included 11 videoconference sessions, under the auspices of the African Union and in the presence of international observers. The three countries "Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan" presented the final report to South Africa, the 2020 head of the African Union (AU). A mini-African summit is scheduled to be held on July 21, 2020 to discuss the GERD file.

On July 21, 2020, a virtual mini-summit hosted by South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa was held to discuss the outcome of the latest technical and legal meetings on the GERD. Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia agreed to continue negotiations on the disputed GERD, while giving priority to crystallizing a binding agreement on the rules regulating the filling and operation of the dam. 

On July 27, 2020, the first meeting of the second round of talks on the GERD was held under the patronage of the African Union. Observers from the US and the European Union attended the meeting alongside experts from the African Union Commission. The two downstream counties expressed concern over Ethiopia’s unilateral filling of the dam, which has raised many questions about the current negotiations and chances of reaching a fair agreement to fill and operate the dam. The meeting concluded that Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have to be offered a chance to conduct internal consultations in light of the recent developments; with the aim of finding solutions to outstanding points at the technical and legal levels. The ministers agreed on re-holding a meeting next Monday, August 3.

On November 4, 2020, discussions among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have showed a lack of agreement as regards the methodology for completing negotiations in the coming stage, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said in a statement. This comes after the water ministers of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia held a meeting today about the best framework for managing ongoing African Union-brokered negotiations on the Ethiopian dam, the ministry added. The statement noted that the three countries agreed that each of them would submit a report to South Africa, the current chair of the African Union, including the course of meetings and their vision on ways to implement the outcomes of the two African Union Bureau’s meetings, which were held at the summit level on June 26 and July 21, 2020. The two meetings have approved a proposal according to which the three countries would conclude a binding legal agreement on filling and operating the Renaissance Dam, it said.

On December 26, 2020, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reiterated the foundations of Egypt's firm stance on the imperative to formulate a binding legal agreement gathering Cairo, Khartoum and Addis Ababa on the Ethiopian dam. Such agreement has to preserve Egypt's water rights by defining the rules for filling and operating the dam, taking into account the importance of Nile water as an existential issue for Egypt and its people, President Sisi told his South African counterpart in their Cyril Ramaphosa. The talks mulled the developments of the Renaissance Dam issue within the framework of the relevant tripartite negotiations under the auspices of the African Union headed by South Africa.

On January 4, 2021, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has announced that an agreement has been reached to hold a round of negotiations that will last for one week among Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan; with the aim of discussing points of agreement and contention about striking an agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). This came as a result of a meeting held on Sunday among the Egyptian, Ethiopian and Sudanese foreign and water resources ministers, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said in a statement. The meeting was led by South Africa, the current chair of the African Union. By the end of the week, a six-party meeting of the foreign ministers and water resources ministers of the three countries will be held, headed by South Africa, to review the outcome of the negotiations, the ministry said. In this regard, Ethiopia has sent an invitation to hold a meeting on Monday, which was attended by the water resources ministers of Egypt and Ethiopia, technical and legal delegations from the two countries, as well as observers and experts assigned by the African Union Commission. The ministry added that Sudan did not take part in today’s meeting, and therefore the matter has been submitted to South Africa, the current chair of the African Union, noting that relevant future steps are set to be discussed during the six-party ministerial meeting slated for January 10.  

On January 5, 2021, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin discussed here on Tuesday an array of regional issues, topped by Ethiopia's giant hydroelectric dam on the Nile River. The US official praised the positive role played by Egypt to resolve the years-long dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

On January 10, 2021, the Foreign Ministry said that the six-way talks on Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam failed to make any progress, due to a disagreement on how to resume the negotiations and other procedural aspects of the negotiating process. Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati took part Sunday in the talks, chaired by South Africa, the current president of the African Union, with their counterparts from Sudan and Ethiopia via video conference. In a statement, the ministry said that Egypt reiterated during the meeting its readiness to engage in serious talks to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operating of the dam, in a way that serves the interests of the three African countries and protect Egypt’s water rights. "Sudan has insisted that the experts, appointed by the African Union Commission, be tasked with proposing solutions to the controversial issues," the statement said. However, Egypt and Ethiopia have expressed reservations on Sudan's proposal, as the experts are not specialists in the technical and engineering matters related to the water resource management and dam operation. it added. South Africa’s foreign minister said she felt sorry for not achieving any progress from the meetings.

On February 2, 2021, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, at Al-Ittihadiya Palace where the ceremonial welcome was performed, the two national anthems were played, and the guard of honor was reviewed. The meeting also discussed the latest regional developments of mutual interest, especially the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

On February 24, 2021, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry received the Coordinator of the unit in charge of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s current chairmanship of the African Union, Professor Alphonse Ntumba Luaba. Shoukry affirmed during the meeting Egypt's high appreciation for the Congolese efforts in this regard, and added that it looks forward to the important role that the Democratic Republic of the Congo can play in order to help reach a binding legal agreement on the rules for the GERD filling and operation that takes into account the three countries’ interests. Moreover, Shoukry discussed with the Congolese delegation the proposal submitted by Sudan and backed by Egypt, to develop the Renaissance Dam negotiations mechanism through the formation of an international quartet that comprises, besides the African Union, the United States, the European Union, and the United Nations to mediate negotiations under President Tshisekedi’s auspices and supervision, in order to advance the negotiation track and to facilitate reaching the desired agreement at the earliest possible opportunity.

On March 2, 2021, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Sudan and Egypt have affirmed keenness to enhance cooperation between the two brotherly countries and activate the mechanisms of joint bilateral cooperation. They also affirmed in a joint statement issued today on the visit of Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi to Egypt and her meeting with Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry continuous exchange of visits and consultations. The statement pointed out that within the framework of fraternal contacts and continuous consultation between the governments of Egypt and Sudan, and in order to consolidate the eternal ties and common interests of the people of the Nile Valley, Cairo today received the Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, on her first visit to Egypt as Minister of Foreign Affairs of the government of the Sudanese revolution. Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry welcomed the visit of his Sudanese counterpart and the accompanying delegation, and affirmed Egypt's firm commitment to supporting the transitional phase in Sudan, and standing beside the aspirations of the Sudanese people for progress and prosperity and achieving the goals of the glorious December 2018 Revolution, once again congratulating the Sudanese people for signing the Peace Agreement. For her part, Dr. Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi expressed her appreciation and thanks to her brother, Sameh Shoukry, for the warm reception and generous hospitality, reiterating thanks and appreciation to the Egyptian side for the initiatives to assist the Sudanese people in all circumstances. They also called on Ethiopia to show goodwill and engage in an effective negotiation process in order to reach this agreement. The two countries expressed their appreciation for the effort made by the sisterly Republic of South Africa during its presidency of the African Union in guiding the path of the Renaissance Dam negotiations as they welcomed the Democratic Republic of Congo assuming leadership of these talks. The two ministers also expressed concern on the stalled negotiations that took place under the auspices of the African Union, and stressed that Ethiopia's implementation of the second phase of filling the Renaissance Dam unilaterally would pose a direct threat to the water security of Egypt and Sudan, especially with regard to the operation of the Sudanese dams and threatening lives of 20 million Sudanese citizens. They also stressed that this measure would be a concrete violation of the Declaration of Principles agreement concluded between the three countries in Khartoum on March 23, 2015. The two ministers also affirmed that the two countries adhere to the proposal submitted by the Republic of Sudan and supported by the Arab Republic of Egypt on developing the negotiation mechanism that is sponsored by the African Union through the formation of an international quartet led and managed by the Democratic Republic of Congo in its capacity as the current chair of the African Union and includes the United Nations, the European Union and the United States to mediate in  the negotiations, as the two countries called on these four parties to adopt this proposal, announce their acceptance of it, and launch these negotiations at the earliest possible opportunity.

On March 3, 2021, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit has renewed the pan-Arab organization's commitment to maintaining the water rights of Egypt and Sudan and supporting efforts exerted to reach a fair, legal and binding agreement towards the issue of filling Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam to protect the interests of all parties.

On March 18, 2021, Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez stressed that latest statements by senior Ethiopian officials on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam reveal the country's intention to impose a fait accompli policy on the Nile River’s downstream countries, a move that Egypt totally rebuffs as it poses serious threats to Egyptian and Sudanese peoples’ interests. In a press release, Hafez warned that such unilateral moves endanger regional security and stability. In earlier statements, the Ethiopian irrigation and foreign ministers said their country plans to proceed with the second stage of filling the dam even if an agreement was not reached with Egypt and Sudan. It is regrettable that Ethiopian officials use the language of sovereignty in their talks about the exploitation of the resources of a transboundary river, he said, making clear that international rivers are a joint property of riparian states. It is not permissible for any one riparian state to try to impose its sovereignty over a transboundary river that passes through its land or seek to monopolize it, he went on to say.  Such natural resources should be utilized to serve peoples of riparian states in accordance with international law and cooperation principles, he added. He said such statements come at a time Congo, in its capacity as current chair of the AU, is exerting efforts to set up an international Quartet grouping the US, EU, UN and AU to reach a satisfactory agreement before the start of flooding season. The latest statements indicate that the Ethiopian government has no political will to engage in negotiations to reach a settlement of the crisis, he added. He underlined the importance of engaging the international community in negotiations led by Congo to reach an agreement within the coming few months. The two Ethiopian ministers made the statements on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of launching the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

On March 30, 2021, during a visit to the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) in Ismailia, during which he inspected the Authority’s Maritime Training and Simulation Center, President El-Sisi stressed that Egypt chose the path of negotiation in accordance with international covenants and laws. Such despicable and odious hostile acts soiling our nation have had a negative impact for several years. The President further asserted that Egypt's water is a red line that cannot be crossed and compromising it would plunge the entire region into a state of instability.

Arab solidarity with Egypt and Sudan regarding their water security

On March 30, 2021, Saudi Arabia expressed its solidarity with Egypt and Sudan and support to their efforts to protect their shares to the River Nile water, stressing that their water security is part and parcel of the Arab region’s security. In a statement cited by the Saudi Press Agency, the kingdom said it backs all endeavors aimed at resolving the Ethiopian dam dispute and serving the interest of all parties involved. It called for continuing negotiations in good faith to reach a fair and binding deal that serves the benefit of all the disputing sides and protects the water rights of all Nile Basin countries at the earliest possible time in line with international law and fundamental norms.

On March 30, 2021, the Kingdom of Bahrain voiced full solidarity with Egypt in preserving its national and water security, protecting the interests of its people and its legitimate right to life, as well as its sincere efforts to achieve regional peace and stability, BNA reported. The Bahraini Foreign Ministry expressed the Kingdom's support for the efforts made to solve the crisis of filling and operating the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) in a way that preserves the water and economic rights of the countries of the Nile downstream states in accordance with international law. It stressed the need for Nile Basin countries to be able to achieve their ambitions for development and economic growth, in order to preserve security, peace and stability in the region.

On March 30, 2021, the Sultanate of Oman expressed its solidarity with Egypt's efforts to resolve the dispute over Ethiopia's giant hydro-electric dam on the Blue Nile. In a statement posted by the Omani Foreign Ministry on its Twitter account, the ministry stressed its support for Egypt's dispute resolution efforts through dialogue and negotiations to ensure regional stability and protect the interests of all the parties involved.

On March 31, 2021, Kuwait expressed its backing of Egypt and Sudan amid the Renaissance Dam dispute, saying their security was an integral part of the Arab region's national security, KUNA reported. Kuwait stands in "solidarity" with both countries in their "tireless efforts" to ensure regional stability and resolve the dispute, "in a manner that preserves the water and economic rights of the Nile River countries," read a Foreign Ministry statement. This should be in accordance with international law and in a manner that enables all sides to achieve their ambitions for development, the ministry added.

On March 31, 2021, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) called for the continuation of the diplomatic dialogue to end disagreements over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The UAE foreign affairs and international cooperation ministry stated it is extremely keen that the constructive diplomatic dialogue and fruitful talks continue to overcome differences over GERD between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. The Gulf country stressed the importance to work through related international laws to reach consensus and preserve the rights of the three countries and their water security to achieve stability and sustainable development.

New round of negotiations

On April 2, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri left Cairo heading for the Congolese capital Kinshasa to participate in a round of talks on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). In a press release issued, the Foreign Ministry said Egypt is keen on partaking in the talks in response to an invitation extended by Congo, the current African Union (AU) chairman, on this regard. Foreign ministers of Sudan and Ethiopia will also partake in the talks, the statement said. The statement underscored Egypt's stand in support of serious and effective negotiations regarding the GERD that would in turn lead to a binding legal agreement regarding the operation of the dam, in a way that would maintain all sides 'interests.

On April 6, 2021, Kinshasa-hosted talks gathering Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan on Addis Ababa's disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), held over the past two days, did not achieve any progress or reach an agreement on relaunching the negotiations, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

In a press release, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez noted that Ethiopia had refused the Sudanese proposal, backed by Egypt, on forming an international quartet led by DR Congo, which chairs the African Union.

Moreover, Addis Ababa, during the meeting, rejected all proposals and alternatives, offered by Egypt and backed by Sudan, to develop the negotiation process through empowering the participating countries and parties in the negotiations to be observers and partake in offering solutions for the disputed legal and technical issues, Hafez stated.

Ethiopia also refused an Egyptian proposal during the closing session of the ministerial meeting and backed by Sudan by resuming the negotiations led by the Congolese president with the participation of observers, according to the current negotiation mechanism, a matter which proves the flexibility and responsibility of the Egyptian and Sudanese sides, to reach a deal on GERD.

"This anew reflects the absence of the political will of Ethiopia to negotiate in good faith and its desire for procrastination and prevarication by only depending on a formalistic and useless negotiation system, a lamentable approach which the Egyptian side fully aware of," the spokesman explained.

He went on saying that Cairo partook in the Kinshasa-hosted talks to relaunch the negotiations under the leadership of DR Congo, according to a set timetable to reach a just and balanced deal, but the Ethiopian side's stubbornness will complicate the crisis and increase the tensions in the region.

The foreign minister, during the meetings, expressed Egypt's appreciation of the Congolese president's efforts, voicing Cairo's readiness for supporting him to find a solution for the GERD crisis in a way that does not harm the three countries' interests and enhance regional stability.

On April 6, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said that Ethiopia rejected all proposals made by Egypt and supported by Sudan to resume the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) talks.

In a phone conversation with privately-owned TV channel Extra News, Shoukry said that Ethiopia rejected a proposal to form an international quartet to act as mediator in resolving the dispute or facilitate the negotiations among the three Nile Basin countries.

During the last round of talks, Kinshasa opposed a proposal to empower the African Union chairman to use the available means to reach solutions to the points of disagreement among the three countries until an agreement is reached, Shoukry noted.

“The stances adopted by Ethiopia affirm that it seeks to continue procrastination in order to impose the status quo on the two downstream countries, i.e. Egypt and Sudan,” the top diplomat said, calling on the international community to assume its responsibility to avoid further tensions in East Africa and Horn of Africa regions.

He added that Egypt and Sudan will unify their efforts at the current stage to brief influential parties, including international organizations, the UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, on the developments regarding this issue to undertake their responsibilities.

Shoukry called on all international parties to pay special attention to this issue because it does not only affect the interests of Egypt and Sudan, but it also endangers international peace and security.

On April 10, 2021, Egypt has rejected an Ethiopian proposal calling for forming a mechanism for exchanging data on measures of the second phase of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Addis Ababa plans to carry out in the coming rainy season this summer, Irrigation Ministry Spokesman Mohamed Ghanim said Saturday.

In a statement, Ghanim pointed out that the Ethiopian proposal was received by Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati from his Ethiopian counterpart, noting the offer included several fallacies and claims which did not reflect the reality of the negotiation process over the past years.

The Ethiopian offer violates the African summits' resolutions, held on GERD, which stressed the importance of reaching a legally binding deal on filling and operating the dam.

Addis Ababa's proposal is a clear attempt to get Egypt's recognition of the second filling, without reaching an agreement, the spokesman stated.

Egypt rejects any unilateral attempt taken by Ethiopia and won't accept any understandings or formulas which provide a political and technical umbrella for the Ethiopian desire to impose a fait accompli on the Nile downstream countries, the spokesman affirmed.

He concluded that Cairo sticks to reaching a comprehensive agreement on filling and operating the dam according to the Agreement on Declaration of Principles signed in 2015, stressing that Ethiopia should abandon its intransigence and show the required political will to reach a deal.

On April 12, 2021, For a decade now, Egypt has been trying to reach an agreement over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam during negotiations and showed great flexibility in this regard, putting into consideration the Sudanese and Ethiopian interests in a bid to equally serve interests of all sides without undermining the water quotas of downstream nations, said Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said.

Water rights of downstream nations are an existential issue and cannot be handled through negotiations while one of the parties is taking unilateral measures which undermine negotiations and make them hollow, he said at a joint press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Russia can play an effective role in this regard given its bilateral relations with sides concerned because the African track Egypt relied on from the start is now stumbling due to Ethiopia's intransigence, he added.

Given its international influence, we rely on Russia's relations with the three countries to work for avoiding further unilateral acts and reaching a satisfactory solution during negotiations, especially as Egypt has a strong political will to reach a solution, he added.

On April 13, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry warned against the gravity of Ethiopia's unilateral steps towards the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) without reaching a deal.

Shoukry was reviewing the latest developments of GERD in a phone call with United Nations (UN) Secretary-General António Guterres.

Shoukry stressed the importance of the role of the UN and its agencies in contributing to resuming negotiations and reaching a deal as well as offering support to the African Union in this regard.

The foreign minister affirmed the Egyptian stance, which calls for the necessity of reaching a legal and binding agreement on filling and operating GERD.

The top diplomat sent messages to the UN secretary general, UN Security Council chief, and the president of the UN General Assembly, in which he discussed all the issue's dimensions and the stages of negotiations.

On April 19, 2021, The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said the Ethiopian claim that the existing two low outfalls are capable of passing the average discharges of the Blue Nile River is incorrect, noting that the current discharge capacity for both outfalls does not exceed 50 million cubic meters per day.

This quantity does not meet the needs of the two downstream countries, i.e. Egypt and Sudan, and is inconsistent with the average discharge of the Blue Nile River, the ministry said in a statement Monday.

The ministry said the statement is released in order to clarify the situation with regard to the Ethiopian move to open the low outfalls of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam; in preparation for draining the middle part of the dam and implementing the second filling process of the GERD.

The implementation of the second filling process and the retention of large quantities of water - according to what has been announced by the Ethiopian side - will greatly affect the river system; because the only controller of the quantities of water discharged from the dam during the filling process will then be those low outfalls, it said.

The situation will be more complicated starting from the upcoming flood season next July because the outfalls will then release water less than what has usually been received in July and August every year, it added.

The ministry noted that the maximum discharge capacity of the two low outfalls is estimated at 3 billion cubic meters per month, which means that the two downstream countries will suffer in the event of a moderate flood.

The situation will be worse in the event of a low flood, and this underscores the imperative of having a binding legal agreement that includes a clear coordination mechanism, it said.

On April 20, 2021, Shoukry embarked on a visit to the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, as part of an African tour to hand over messages from President Abdel Fattah El Sisi to the leaders of six African countries, including South Africa, Senegal, DR Congo, Tunisia and the Comoros, according to a tweet by Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez.

The tour aims to explain the latest developments in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue and Egypt's stance on the urgent need to reach a binding agreement on the filling and operation of the controversial giant hydro-power dam on the Blue Nile before Ethiopia unilaterally proceeds with the second phase of filling, to protect the water interests of all the countries involved.

On May 5, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aati said on Wednesday Egypt is still hoping that an agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) can be reached by the summer of this year.

The filling process of the dam has to be carried out in accordance with an agreement that takes into account the interests of the two downstream countries and limits the damage caused to them by the dam, Shoukry and Abdel Aati said during their meeting in Cairo with US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting discussed the latest developments of the GERD negotiations and ways to ensure the success of ongoing efforts to reach a fair, balanced and legally binding agreement as regards the filling and operation of the dam, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.

During the meeting, the two Egyptian ministers reviewed the decade-long path of the GERD file that started when Ethiopia began building the dam without consulting with the two downstream countries.

The meeting also touched on ongoing negotiations on the rules for filling and operating the dam, which have been unsuccessful due to Ethiopia’s intransigence and its rejection of all relevant technical proposals presented by Egypt during negotiations or those put forward by international mediators and approved by Egypt, including the agreement that emerged from the US-brokered negotiations.

Shoukry and Abdel Aati expressed Egypt's readiness to exert necessary efforts to ensure the success of the negotiation track that is sponsored by the African Union and led by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noting that Cairo is looking forward to cooperating with its international partners, topped by the United States, to hammer out the desired agreement.

On May 5, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aati said Egypt is still hoping that an agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) can be reached by the summer of this year.

The filling process of the dam has to be carried out in accordance with an agreement that takes into account the interests of the two downstream countries and limits the damage caused to them by the dam, Shoukry and Abdel Aati said during their meeting in Cairo with US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman and his accompanying delegation.

The meeting discussed the latest developments of the GERD negotiations and ways to ensure the success of ongoing efforts to reach a fair, balanced and legally binding agreement as regards the filling and operation of the dam, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.

During the meeting, the two Egyptian ministers reviewed the decade-long path of the GERD file that started when Ethiopia began building the dam without consulting with the two downstream countries.

The meeting also touched on ongoing negotiations on the rules for filling and operating the dam, which have been unsuccessful due to Ethiopia’s intransigence and its rejection of all relevant technical proposals presented by Egypt during negotiations or those put forward by international mediators and approved by Egypt, including the agreement that emerged from the US-brokered negotiations.

Shoukry and Abdel Aati expressed Egypt's readiness to exert necessary efforts to ensure the success of the negotiation track that is sponsored by the African Union and led by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, noting that Cairo is looking forward to cooperating with its international partners, topped by the United States, to hammer out the desired agreement.

On May 31, 2021, The Foreign Ministry voiced on Monday Egypt’s rejection of the remarks made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed about his country’s plan to build a number of dams across the country.

In a press release, Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry Ahmed Hafez said such remarks reflect the ill will of Ethiopia, which deals with the Nile and other international rivers as internal ones and uses them to serve its own interests.

Egypt recognizes the right of all the Nile Basin countries to carry out water projects and achieve development for their peoples, but in this case, coordination should be maintained with all the affected countries, including the downstream countries, Hafez said.

The spokesman stressed that the remarks are nothing but a continuation of the regrettable Ethiopian approach that gives no attention to applicable international laws, which regulate the use of international rivers.

On June 9, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Aati arrived in Khartoum, where they were welcomed by Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Sadiq al-Mahdi, Irrigation Minister Yasser Abbas, and Egyptian Ambassador to Sudan Hossam Eissa.

The visit comes in light of the continued efforts to bolster Cairo-Khartoum strategic relations, as well as ongoing consultations on various issues of mutual concern, most notably that of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel Atti held a meeting with President of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.

On June 10, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry affirmed to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Egypt's firm stance in rejection of unilateral measures with regard to filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)'s reservoir, stressing the need for reaching a binding legal agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam; in a way that serves the interests of the three directly concerned Nile Basin countries (Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia).

During a phone call initiated by the UN chief on Thursday, Shoukry congratulated Guterres on being tapped for a second term as the United Nations secretary-general, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said.

The foreign minister said he is looking forward to continuing coordination and consultation between Egypt and the United Nations on various regional and international issues; with a view to achieving the aspired security, stability and prosperity.

The phone call focused on the latest developments as regards the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, with Shoukry stressing the need for international parties, led by the United Nations and its Security Council, to contribute to pushing Ethiopia to engage seriously and with a sincere political will in negotiations with the aim of reaching the desired agreement.

On June 15, 2021, Azhar Grand Imam Ahmed el Tayyeb urged the international community and the African, Arab and Islamic worlds to shoulder their responsibilities in supporting Egypt and Sudan to maintain their water rights in the River Nile.

In a statement, Tayyeb asserted that water comes on top of the necessary resources that are considered are public property.

Tayyeb appreciated the diplomatic efforts exerted by Egypt and Sudan and strenuous efforts to find solutions that maintain their rights in investing the natural resources without harming the rights of others by any means.

On July 4, 2021, Foreign Minister Sameh Shoury headed for New York within the framework of preparations for a meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the Ethiopia renaissance dam. The UNSC meeting comes at a request from Egypt and Sudan. Shoukry will hold a series of intensive meetings with his counterparts, UN officials and permanent delegates to the UNSC. Egypt seeks to reach a binding legal agreement on filling and operating the dam that takes into consideration the interests of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.

On July 8, 2021, Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry warned against the negative impact of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in case of a lack of an agreement with Sudan and Ethiopia, saying Egypt “will protect its right in life” in case its “existence is jeopardized”.

During a session for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Thursday, Shoukry said the Ethiopian dam represents an existential threat to Egypt.

He noted that the Egyptian scientific research confirms that GERD can cause significant damage to Egypt and despite Egyptian efforts to preserve water and reuse it, the harm will spread as a plague among the Egyptian people.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Sadiq al Mahdi called on the UN security council to urge resuming the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam [GERD] negotiations in order to reach a binding and legal agreement on the dam’s filling and operation.

She explained in her speech at the UN Security council session on the GERD that this agreement would protecting Sudanese citizens, protect Sudanese dams and protect Sudan’s strategic security.

She praised the African Union efforts on the GERD negotiations during the past period and affirmed continuing cooperating with it along with all Egypt and Ethiopia.

Al Mahdi also confirmed that Sudan is fully aware of Ethiopia’s rights in the Nile Waters, however they only demanded filling the dam according to an agreement and without damaging any of the downstream countries.

Sudan’s Foreign Minister also noted to Ethiopia’s unilateral movements including informing Khartoum that they will release nearly 2.5 cubic meter of water in only two weeks’ notice, which led the government to inform civilian to evacuate their homes only during three days.

Al Mahdi also said that Sudan and Ethiopia have always shared a especial and historical relation with each other of which should obligates Addis Ababa to stop harming Khartoum.

She demanded the UN Security Council to take action towards Ethiopia’s unilateral movement, saying that “if UNSC chooses to keep silence today would send the wrong message that the dam’s filling which harm’s Sudan and its people is accepted internationally, which will have a serious consequence.”

On the sideline of the UN Security Council session

UN Special Envoy for the Horn of African Parfait Onanga-Anyanga asserted the necessity of settling disputes as regards the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) among the three parties; Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia, in order to reach a deal on the rules of filling and operating the dam.

Addressing a special UN Security Council session held at the request of Egypt and Sudan to address the dam issue, Onanga said the dam is a source of hope, fears as well as challenges as regards the use of water, security and energy in Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan as well as the whole Horn of Africa.

The UN envoy for the Horn of Africa said this is the second time he is filing a request to the UN on the dam issue, noting that it was previously floated in June, 2020.

Since that time and despite all attempts for talks, the parties have not reached a framework agreement to settle all thorny issues, the envoy said, adding that the parties should reach a deal on some basic items including a mechanism for dispute settlement and limiting the drought effects especially as regards the operation and filling the dam at the times of drought.

UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Parfait Onanga-Anyanga said no agreement has been reached on the issue despite holding a virtual meeting grouping the foreign and irrigation ministers of the three countries in October, 2020, under the chairmanship of South Africa.

He also said another virtual meeting was held in January, 2021. However, the parties have not agreed on the role of experts and observers who support the negotiation process led by the African Union.

Sudan, on February 6, floated a new proposal which required a quadrilateral mediation from the African Union, the UN, the US and the European Union, the UN envoy stated, but Ethiopia has made changes to the process sponsored by the African Union.

Also, another round of talks, that was held in Kinshasa, Congo, in its capacity as President of the African Union, has not brought about any results on the mediation framework, the UN envoy noted.

On the 16th of April this year, Sudan’s Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdouk proposed activating a mechanism for settling the dispute at the level of heads of state and government based on the declaration of principles proclaimed in 2015 on the dam, the UN envoy noted.

The Ethiopian premier replied to the proposal by stating that the office of heads of state and government at the AU is the proper venue and no progress has been reached concerning the matter ever since, Onanga added.

He also said Congolese President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi paid a visit to the area from May 8 till 11 which included Khartoum, Cairo and Addis Ababa for talks on two vital issues; the filling of the dam during the rain season and guarantees for reaching a comprehensive agreement on the filling and operation of the dam in later stages.

Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme Inger Andersen said on Thursday that the Blue Nile constitutes a vital water resource for Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.

In her speech at a UN Security Council session held at the request of Egypt and Sudan to discuss the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis, Andersen said the giant dam will affect the river water stream, and draught will be recurrent, so cooperation over the shared river is the sustainable solution on the long term.

Egypt’s High Dam and Ethiopia’s GERD will regulate, in the coming years, the flow of the Nile River, therefore the management of the Nile basin efficiently will optimize the benefit from this basic infrastructure and will prevent any negative impacts, she said.

The governments of Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia have exerted continuous efforts to boost cooperation pertaining to the trans-boundary water streams over years, Andersen said, pointing to the Declaration of the Principles signed between the three countries in 2015.

She noted that the three countries have not agreed on some pivotal issues, including the arrangements of managing times of prolonged draught, a mechanism of conflict settlement as well as other points related to the scope and nature of the proposed agreement.

She added that ending the differences between the three countries requires strenuous action with the support of legal and technical experts.

The UN is ready to continue supporting the three countries and the Africa Union to reach an agreement on the GERD, which will serve all parties, she noted.

On 15-9-2021, Egypt has welcomed the UN Security Council statement issued, on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) encouraging all three countries [Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopian] to resume negotiations with the aim of reaching a legal binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within a reasonable time frame.

Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged observers of previous GERD negotiations under the African Union's sponsorship, and any other observers to be involved in future dam talks, to continue supporting the negotiation to facilitate all technical, or any other issues regarding the agreement.

Egypt stated that the UNSC statement issued as part the body's commitment to preserving international peace and security, reaffirms the special importance state members attach to the dam issue, as well as their appreciation of the dire need to contain its grave implications on international peace and security.

Egypt noted that UNSC statement represents an important impetus to the efforts made for the success of the AU sponsored talks on GERD.

The statement also affirmed that UNSC statement on GERD pushes Ethiopia to engage seriously and with a sincere political will in the talks to reach a binding legal agreement on the filling and operating the Renaissance Dam.

Developments of the the Renaissance Dam Issue
On December 1, 2021, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi informed Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez on the latest developments in the Ethiopian Dam issue and the need to have the international community support an active negotiation process to reach a comprehensive, just and binding agreement on its filling and operation.

On January 29, 2022, President Abdel Fattah El Sisi has stressed the need for reaching a fair, balanced and legal agreement regulating the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in line with international law and UNSC resolutions without any unilateral action. The president was speaking at a press conference following a meeting with his Senegalese counterpart Macky Sall at al-Ittihadiya palace in Cairo. The Nile River should be a source of cooperation and development, the president said, adding that the Nile represents a lifeline for the peoples of the Nile Basin countries.

On February 7, 2022, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed his Djibouti counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh the latest developments in the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam, asserting that Egypt has a strong political will that aims at reaching out to a binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within an appropriate timeframe so as to enhance regional security and stability.

On March 30, 2022, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received Lieutenant-General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council. With regard to the latest developments in the regional situation of common interest, the two sides discussed the developments of the Renaissance Dam file, as the continuation of intensive consultation and mutual coordination during the coming period was agreed upon. This further emphasizes the paramount importance of the water issue for the Egyptian and Sudanese peoples as a national security issue. Hence, the two countries adhered to reaching a fair, equitable and binding legal agreement for the process of filling and operating the dam, in a manner that achieves the common interests of all parties.

Attachments

Statement of Egypt's Foreign Minister before UNSC session on GERD.pdf