Egyptian flexibility in GERD negotiations faced with Ethiopian intransigence, irrigation minister tells South Sudan

CAIRO – 23 June 2021: Egyptian Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aati on Tuesday said Egypt’s flexibility in the negotiations to resolve the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue was met by Ethiopian intransigence.

His remarks came in a meeting with First Vice President of South Sudan Riek Machar and South Sudan’s Irrigation Minister Manawa Peter, as he had made an official visit to Juba.

Abdel Aati affirmed Egypt’s keenness to continue the GERD negotiations, affirming Egypt’s unwavering stance on the necessity to preserve its water rights and achieve mutual benefit through an agreement on GERD.

The minister affirmed Egypt’s keenness to reach a fair and legally-binding agreement on GERD that meets the developmental aspiration of all countries.

Egypt and Sudan are already in an escalating dispute with Ethiopia, which has reiterated plans to implement the second filling of its massive GERD in July.

Ethiopia’s plans brush aside Egypt and Sudan’s objections and concerns about their water rights in the event of implementing the second filling before a binding agreement is reached among the three countries.

The agreement should regulate the filling and operation processes of the dam in a way that ensures the two countries’ water rights and prevents Ethiopia from unilaterally controlling the water flow to the downstream countries.

Abdel Aati also discussed the GERD dispute on Monday with South Sudan's Foreign minister Beatrice Khamisa Wani during his Juba visit.

The two ministers discussed enhancing cooperation between Egypt and South Sudan and the convening of the joint higher committee that is scheduled through July in Cairo, a statement by the Egyptian Irrigation Ministry said.

Abdel Aati expressed appreciation of the strong relations gathering the peoples of Egypt and South Sudan and the continuation of the efforts made by the two sides to provide all forms of cooperation between them.

Abdel Aati arrived in Juba on Monday, heading an official delegation. His South Sudan counterpart, Minister Manawa Peter Gatkuoth, and other officials received him.

Abdel Aati said this important visit expresses Egypt’s belief of the necessity to achieve the maximum degrees of cooperation and coordination with South Sudan to achieve sustainable development and improve the living conditions of South Sudan’s citizens.

Abdel Aati said the cooperation between the two countries extend for many years through implementing a number of developmental projects that directly benefit the citizens in South Sudan.