Sudan, Ethiopia: A New Chapter Unfolds in The Renaissance Dam Conflict
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Sudanese Prime Minister says that discussing the issue of the Renaissance Dam with UN Security Council does not negate the African role, but consolidates the importance of an internationally-backed solution.
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Sudan has presented the Renaissance Dam issue to the UN Security Council
Sudanese PM Abdalla Hamdok said that discussing the Renaissance Dam issue with the UN Security Council does not negate the African role, but rather consolidates the importance of an internationally-backed solution.
The Sudanese PM’s words came after his meeting with Ivorian President Alassane Ouattara, who in turn expressed his country's support for the African Solution as well as the importance of reaching a satisfactory agreement between all parties through the African Union.
Earlier in the day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said, " Egypt's security is a red line that cannot be crossed," stressing that his country has "the economic and military power to impose our will and defend our interests," in reference to the Renaissance Dam crisis with Ethiopia.
Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi announced, on Thursday, that her country "is considering the possibility to go to the Human Rights Council at the United Nations, after Ethiopia mobilized the Renaissance Dam.”
Al-Mahdi said, in an exclusive interview with "Sputnik", that "Sudan is resorting to all legitimate means and tools, including lawsuits," adding: "We may go to the United Nations Human Rights Council, and experts are now working on this possibility, and they will decide and announce exactly what we can do.”
The position of the Sudanese Foreign Minister comes after Ethiopia’s announcement on July 9 that the second filling of the dam has begun according to a schedule agreed upon with Egypt and Sudan.
The United Nations Security Council held a session, last Thursday, to discuss the Renaissance Dam crisis between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. During the session, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry responded to the speech of the Ethiopian Minister of Irrigation by saying: “Egypt will defend its citizens’ rights by all available means,” stressing that “the negotiations have to occur within a specific timeframe.”
For his part, the Egyptian Minister of Irrigation Mohamed Abdel-Ati said: "We can snatch our full rights if negotiations fail," stressing that the Ethiopian people have the right to build projects, while the Egyptians have the right to preserve their access to water.
