Egypt eager to secure deal over Ethiopian dam

Egypt has called for an agreement to be reached over the filling and operation of Ethiopia’s Nile dam.

Cairo is concerned the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam will significantly reduce its share of the river’s waters, threatening jobs and the country’s food security.

President Abdel Fattah El Sisi told an international meeting on water yesterday that Egypt was among the most “water poor” countries.

Its annual share of water is 560 cubic metres for every person, about half the 1,000 cubic metres the UN has set as the threshold for water poverty, he said.

“Egypt is among the worst drought-hit countries with one of the smallest rainfall averages. That in turn leads to an almost exclusive dependence on the Nile waters,” he said.

“I would like to emphasise that we are looking to reach, as soon as possible and without further delay, a balanced and legally binding agreement on this.”

Ethiopia should be able to use the dam to fulfil its aspirations, but without imposing dire water, social and environmental consequences on Egypt and Sudan, he said.

The two countries have been engaged in negotiations with Ethiopia over the dam for the past decade without reaching a deal.

Their last round of talks was held in the Democratic Republic of Congo in April.

Mr El Sisi told the meeting yesterday that Egypt plans spend at least $50 billion until 2037 to better manage its water resources.

The funds are to be spent on improving water treatment centres, developing new water sources through desalination and making better use of irrigation water.