An Egyptian objection in the UN Security Council regarding Ethiopia’s plans to fill the GERD
On Friday, Egypt protested in the UN Security Council against what Cairo considered to be a unilateral resolution breaching “the obligations imposed by international law on Ethiopia” on plans to fill the Renaissance Dam. Addis Ababa has officially produced electricity from the dam since last February.
Egypt submitted an objection to the UN Security Council on Friday regarding Ethiopia’s plans to fill the renaissance unilaterally and without prior agreement with Egypt and the Sudan.
In a statement, the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that “Egypt had received a letter from the Ethiopian side on 26 July indicating Ethiopia’s continued filling of the Renaissance Dam reservoir during the current flood season, which Egypt rejects as contrary to the obligations imposed by international law on Ethiopia.”
“The Arab Republic of Egypt reserves its legitimate right… take all necessary measures to ensure and protect its national security, including any future risks posed by Ethiopian unilateral actions “.
For its part, Ethiopia officially launched electricity production from the dam last February despite repeatedly demanding that Cairo and Khartoum stop filling it and not reach a tripartite agreement.
Addis Ababa states that the dam is among Africa’s largest. Its production target has been adjusted from 6,500 to 5,000 megawatts, twice Ethiopia’s current output, and is expected to reach full production capacity in 2024.
US special envoy to the Horn of Africa Mike Hammer arrived in Ethiopia on Friday, where he will try to facilitate a diplomatic solution to the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam dispute.
The United States Special Envoy also visited Cairo in recent days and met with government officials in the field of “water security for Egypt”, according to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
Since the project’s launch in 2011, the Renaissance Dam has sparked conflict with the Sudan and Egypt, which depend on the Nile for their water resources.
