A rare disagreement has occurred between Sudan and Egypt over the possible impact of an Ethiopia dam on the downstream Nile basin countries.
The controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) could see the course of the Blue Nile tampered with and Egypt has warned it would spare no effort to guarantee its share of the water.
But Sudan is warning of a possible water war between the Nile Basin countries because of Egypt’s ‘provocative’ stance.
Sudanese government spokesman Ahmed Bilal has asked Egypt to stop what he called provocations after an Egyptian opposition leader described Khartoum’s stand on in the issue as disgusting.
An Egyptian opposition leader, Mr Ayman Nour, publicly described the Sudanese stand on the Nile as disgusting.
Meanwhile, the US has asked the three countries to resolve the problem amicably through dialogue.
Mr Bilal demanded, at a press conference in Khartoum on Wednesday, that Cairo works with Sudan to safeguard Egypt’s interests instead of resorting to provocations.
He added that Sudan would get many benefits from the dam, including better supply of electricity and year-long regulation of the Blue Nile’s flow.
Egypt has warned that all options were open to protect its share of the Nile waters.
“We cannot let even one drop of Nile water be affected,” President Mohammed Morsy said during talks with political and religious leaders broadcast live on state television on Tuesday.
President Morsy also wrote on his official Twitter account: “It is necessary that we take steps to ensure Egyptian water security.”
“The current situation necessitates unity among our ranks to prevent any threat against Egypt,” added President Morsy.
NMG
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