Hamdok Stresses Need to Reach Binding Agreement on GERD

Sudan’s Prime Minister Dr. Abdalla Hamdok has stressed the importance of reaching a binding agreement on the operation of mega-dam Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile.
He said the agreement shall allow
better planning for agricultural development and production.
In an interview with the US CNN
news channel, Hamdok said without reaching a binding legal agreement, Khartoum
will be under the “mercy” of Addis Ababa in terms of water provision.
He pointed to the seriousness and
sensitivity of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue, noting that it
affects the safety and security of millions of Sudanese and Egyptians.
Hamdok highlighted the unsettled
issues between the three countries, affirming that they can be resolved within
weeks, in accordance with the international law.
The PM explained his country’s
proposal to shift the international observers’ role to become mediators to help
reach an agreement on this matter.
On the border crisis, Hamdok said
that it had been resolved since 1902 by the pact demarcating the borders on the
map, saying that successive Ethiopian governments have recognized these borders.
For his part, Sudanese Irrigation
Minister Yasser Abbas, for his part, said Sudan adheres to negotiations as the
only means to resolve issues, provided that the methodology of negotiation is
changed and includes other parties to help the three countries reach an
agreement.
Sudan will brief the United
Nations Security Council on the developments that took place recently, as well
as the outstanding issues, including those resolved, in addition to Addis
Ababa’s unilateral second filling of the dam reservoir, SUNA quoted Abbas as
saying.
He affirmed that his country does
not need more time to negotiate, but rather a political will to reach an
agreement that guarantees the rights and interests of the three countries.
“The unilateral filling of the reservoir threatens electricity generation from Sudan’s Merowe Dam and Roseires Dam, as well as the safety of the Roseires Dam and 20 million Sudanese living downstream of the GERD,” he stressed.