Ethiopia Invites Sudan, Egypt to Nominate Dam Operators for Data Exchange on Filling of GERD

Addis Ababa April 10/2021 (ENA) Ethiopia has invited Sudan and Egypt to nominate dam operators for data exchange before the filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in upcoming rainy seasons, Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed.

Minister of Water, Irrigation, and Energy, Seleshi Bekele  formally invited Sudan and Egypt to nominate dam operators to exchange data before the second filling of the GERD commences in the upcoming rainy seasons in Ethiopia.

In the letters addressed to Minister of Water Affairs of Sudan and Egypt, Sileshi invited the two countries to nominate focal persons/ dam operators to exchange data among the three countries with regards to the second-year filling which will take place in July and August 2021.

According to the letters, the invitation was based on the consensus that was reached on the filling schedule formulated by the National Independent Scientific Research Group (NISRG) of the three countries along with the period of the filling in July and August and it may continue in September depending on the hydrology.

Stating the progress of the GERD construction and the approaching rainy seasons in Ethiopia, where the filling is scheduled, the Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy underlined the need to work together on practical and important communication arrangements.

Nominating focal persons soon will expedite appropriate information exchange arrangements and confidence-building measures among the tripartite until the conclusion of the GERD negotiation under the auspices of the African Union, the letters read.

The letter also  underlined the importance of immediate conclusion of agreement on the rules and guidelines on first filling in accordance with Article 5a of the Declaration of Principle that was signed by the three countries in 2015 will offer a good opportunity to build confidence and trust among the parties.  

Attaching information on bottom outlet testing of the GERD, the letters expressed Ethiopia's keenness to host the first focal persons/ dam operators meeting physically in Addis Ababa or virtually.