Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s (GERD) reservoir controversy

The story: In July, Ethiopia re-started the second phase of filling a Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s (GERD) reservoir on the upper Blue Nile, which

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s (GERD) reservoir controversy

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• The story: In July, Ethiopia re-started the second phase of filling a Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam’s (GERD) reservoir on the upper Blue Nile, which raised tensions from Sudan and Egypt ahead of an upcoming UN Security Council meeting on the issue. Ethiopia previously announced it would proceed to the second stage of filling in July, with or without a deal.
• Points to note: The Nile, Africa’s longest river, has been at the center of a decade-long complex dispute involving several countries that are dependent on the river’s waters. Ethiopia began the construction of the GERD in 2011 on the Blue Nile, a 145-meter-tall hydropower project that will be Africa’s biggest dam project with lasting impacts on its river Nile.

1. The Blue Nile is a tributary of the Nile river and it carries about two-thirds of the river's water volume and most of the silt. Egypt, which lies downstream, has objected to the construction of the dam and proposed a longer timeline for the project. It does not want the water level of the Nile to dramatically drop as the reservoir fills with water in the initial stages.
2. Sudan has also been involved due to its location. The Nile is an important water source in the region so there are concerns that this dispute may evolve into a full-fledged conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia. The USA has stepped in to mediate.

• Dam’s importance for Ethiopia: It believes the dam will generate approximately 6,000 megawatts of electricity which will support its industrial growth, and that it can also export surplus electricity to neighbouring regions to generate revenue. Neighbouring countries like Kenya, Sudan, Eritrea and South Sudan also suffer from electricity shortages and they can also benefit from the hydropower project if Ethiopia decides to sell electricity to them.
• Egypt’s concern: It lies downstream and is concerned that Ethiopia’s control over the water could result in lower water levels within its own borders. It depends on the Nile for approximately 97% of its drinking water and irrigation supplies. The dam would jeopardise food and water security and livelihoods of ordinary Egyptian citizens.
• Sudan’s stand: It too is concerned that if Ethiopia were to gain control over the river, it would affect the water levels Sudan receives. However, Sudan is likely to benefit from the power generated by the dam. The regulated flow of the river will save Sudan from serious flooding in August and September. Thus it has proposed joint management of the dam.
• Nile river: Nile originates in Burundi, south of the equator, and flows northward through northeastern Africa, eventually flowing through Egypt and finally draining into the Mediterranean Sea. The source of the Nile is sometimes considered to be Lake Victoria, but the lake itself has feeder rivers of considerable size like the Kagera River. Nile is formed by three principal streams: the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile. Its basin is huge and includes parts of Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Congo (Kinshasa), Kenya.
• Summary: To solve the conflict peacefully, mediation and facilitation by the neighbouring countries and the international bodies are necessary. A compensation method can be adopted which would need the countries to compensate each others’ losses.

 

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