Egypt to Participate GERD meeting in Washington despite Ethiopia’s Pullout

Egypt affirms its participation during the meeting in Washington scheduled to be held on February 27 and 28 in a bid to resolve disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), despite Ethiopia’s absence. This comes just two days after the government of Ethiopia announced that it is not going to take part in the ministerial meeting because of ‘unfinished consultation with national stakeholders.’

The US has been hosting series of meetings among foreign and water ministers of Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan over the past three months in order to resolve the disagreement between the countries over the operation and water filling of the giant dam on Nile.

“We would take part in the meeting, in appreciation of the constructive role played by the US administration over the past months in mediating between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan as the three countries struggled to reach a final agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam,” said Ahmed Hafez, Spokesperson for Egypt’s Foreign Ministry.

Last week, Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn, has led the special envoy of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed during a visit to Egypt and Sudan. The envoy has discussed with leaders of the two countries about the dam, although nothing has been said what has been achieved from the meeting.