Egyptian, Djiboutian presidents agree on need to resolve GERD dispute to avoid regional implications

CAIRO – 15 April 2021: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his Djiboutian counterpart, Ismail Omar Guelleh, have agreed on the need to resolve the Renaissance Dam (GERD) dispute to avoid its negative impact on regional security and stability.

As they made a phone call on Thursday, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s fixed stance on the need to reach a comprehensive, legally-binding agreement on the filling and operation of the massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.

Rounds of negotiations among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia on GERD have reached a deadlock several times with Egypt blaming the failure on Ethiopia’s intransigence.

Egypt and Sudan insist that a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam should be reached before Ethiopia implements the second phase of dam filling.

Ethiopia, however, says it will complete the dam filling in July with or without an agreement.

Sisi, during the phone call, congratulated Guelleh for being reelected, wishing him success in achieving the progress desired by the people of Djibouti.

Guelleh hailed his country’s appreciation of the historic and brotherly relations tying the two countries, especially in light of Egypt’s keenness to meet the Djiboutian developments requirements.

Guelleh highlighted wide horizons to develop bilateral relations and boost joint cooperation with Egypt in various fields.

The two presidents discussed bilateral cooperation issues, especially in the fields of economy, trade exchange and investment, the statement noted.

“This comes in light of the extended bilateral and regional cooperation between the two countries to achieve common interests and preserve security and stability, especially in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea regions,” the statement added.