Egyptians fret about Ethiopia Nile dam filling

Worry grips Egyptian officials who fear a natural disaster as Ethiopia prepares to fill its giant Nile dam, the Great Renaissance Dam, for the fifth time, without any coordination with downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan.

Egypt has for long expressed concern at the dam, while Ethiopia argues that the water-sharing deals signed under the colonial era were no longer relevant, arguing that the dam would help it meet its electricity needs and export surplus.

This takes place against the backdrop of rainfall scarcity and a rapid demographic growth in both upstream and downstream Nile countries, implying higher demand on water.

Several media relayed satellite imagery showing the beginning of preparations to fill the dam by Ethiopia. Downstream countries said the move was unilateral.

Mohammed Nasr Allam, who served as Egypt’s Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources from 2009 to 2011, told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the Ethiopian filling of the dam would be disastrous for Egypt, especially if it coincided with the Nile’s dry season.

Egypt and Ethiopia have been negotiating a middle solution in vain. Egyptian officials accuse the Ethiopian government of refusing to compromise.

Ethiopia views the dam as a matter of national sovereignty, leading many observers to worry of a possible military conflict in case no deal was found.
The Ethiopian filling is expected to take place at the end of July.