Ethiopia’s Blue Nile Dam Upsets Egypt, Sudan

Ethiopia —(Map)

Ethiopia has been building a huge dam across the Blue Nile River for 10 years. It’s nearly finished, and neighboring countries Egypt and Sudan are very worried. Recent satellite pictures showing water collecting behind the dam have raised tensions even more.

The dam is known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). When it’s finished, it will be the largest dam in Africa – so large that it will take seven years to fill. The basin or “bowl” formed by the dam will hold up to 19.5 trillion gallons (73.8 trillion liters) of water.

Ethiopia has been building a huge dam across the Blue Nile River for 10 years. The dam is known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). When it’s finished, it will be the largest dam in Africa – so large that it will take seven years to fill..

The GERD will generate huge amounts of electricity. It’s expected to help control flooding all along the Nile, and it will also help make sure Ethiopia has a reliable supply of water.

The $4.5 billion dam is being built on the Blue Nile River, the main river which feeds the Nile. The Nile River is hugely important to Sudan and Egypt, Ethiopia’s downstream neighbors. These countries are very worried about GERD.

For years, the countries have been trying to reach an agreement on rules for the dam that will protect all sides. Egypt wants Ethiopia to promise to stop filling the dam if there’s a drought. But though Egypt is powerful in the region, it may not be able to tell Ethiopia what to do.

Egypt has its own dam on the Nile, called Aswan. Currently the Aswan dam is holding back enough water so that Egypt doesn’t have to worry about running low.

For the Sudan, Ethiopia’s new dam could help in some ways, such as providing cheaper electricity. But if the GERD were full and it suddenly released a lot of water, the flood could completely destroy some of Sudan’s own dams.

Last week, satellite photos showed the basin of Ethiopia’s new dam filling up. Sudan and Egypt accused Ethiopia of filling the dam before reaching an agreement.

Ethiopia’s water minister said that the water was the result of natural flooding. He pointed out that the dam still isn’t finished, and that the country hasn’t yet closed the gates that will hold back the water.

The disagreement highlights a real conflict coming in the near future.

The disagreement highlights a real conflict coming in the near future. The countries have been meeting for years to try to settle the issue, but still disagree on many points. This virtual meeting was held on June 9.

Ethiopia has been building the dam for 10 years, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says he plans to fill it. The dam is a source of pride in Ethiopia. Many people bought government “bonds” to help build the dam. They’ll only earn their money back if the dam is running.

For Egypt, which gets 90% of its water from the Nile, the answers seem just as clear.

Ethiopia has been building the dam for 10 years, and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed says he plans to fill it. Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said he wants a peaceful solution, but he’s also under pressure to show that he’s standing up for Egypt’s needs.

At least part of the problem for both sides is about politics. Ethiopia has recently had a lot of violence inside the country. Mr. Abiy is eager for a project that will bring Ethiopians together.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said he wants a peaceful solution, but he’s also under pressure to show that he’s standing up for Egypt’s needs.

The African Union is likely to hold an emergency meeting this week in the hopes of finally getting all sides to agree.