Hamdok warns unilateral GERD filling threatens Sudanese dams, people’s properties

CAIRO – 26 February 20201: Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok has warned against the unilateral filling of the Ethiopian massive dam (GERD) before an agreement can be reached between the concerned countries.

Meeting with a delegation from DR Congo, Hamdok warned that such act would harm dams and properties of the people living along the Nile River banks.

This comes while Ethiopia has frequently affirmed it would implement the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam next July under any circumstances.

Hamdok hailed the Congolese support to Sudan and the Sudanese initiative to reach a diplomatic solution to the GERD issue.

Last year, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Ati said Ethiopia is responsible for the failure of reaching a comprehensive agreement with Egypt and Sudan regarding the operation of the dam.

“It has been agreed on an agreement in Washington. The Ethiopian side agreed on it at the beginning, but later they asked for a time for community dialogue. In the end, they refused the Washington agreement,” Abdel-Ati said.

He added that every country has its own priorities; Sudan needs the safety of the dam, while Egypt cares more about cooperation during periods of drought, and Ethiopia wants to generate electricity quickly.

“We are trying to reach an agreement. We are interested in providing electricity to all Ethiopian people and offer utmost cooperation,” he said.