Grand Rennaissance Dam may trigger water war in East Africa

(Relevance in Prelims; GS II – Bilateral and international issues)

Source: Indian Express

Context

The Nile, Africa's longest river has been at the center of a decade-long complex dispute involving several countries in the continent who are dependent on the river’s waters. This time Ethiopia and Egypt are at the forefront. Talks between these two countries are set to begin in Washington D.C. on the future of the hydropower project on the Nile which is the center of these disputes.

What is the Dispute?

Dispute is all about Grand Renaissance Da, hydropower project which is getting constructed by Ethiopia. After construction it will be the largest dam of Africa.

Ethiopia lead its construction in 2011 on the Blue Nile tributary which runs across one part of the country.

Egypt objected to the construction of this dam.

The main waterways of the Nile runs through Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan and Egypt and its drainage basin runs through other countries in East Africa including Ethiopia.

Being Nile as a necessary water source in the region, observers has concerned about this dispute which may evolve into full-fledged conflict between these two nations. USA has stepped in to mediate the matter.

How Conflict Emerged?

This mega power project would allow Ethiopia to control the river’s water which is a major concern for Egypt as it lies in the downstream. Ethiopia made an announcement last year about its planning on generating power by using two turbines by December 2020.

Egypt made objection to it and proposed drop as the reservoir fills with water in the initial stages.

Egypt is not alone. The same concern is with Sudan because of its location. It also believes that water supply may get affected due to control of Ethiopia on the river through this dam.

Since last four years, a triparty talks between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan is going on but unable to reach on any conclusion.

What is the need of this Dam?

Electricity Generation: Ethiopia believes that this dam will generate approx. 6,000 MW of electricity after its completion.

• 65% of Ethipoia's populatiob suffers due to lack of access to electricity
• This dam will reduce such shortages and help the country’s manufacturing industry.
• They may also be able to supply electricity to neighbouring nations and earn some revenue in exchange.
• Neighbors like Kenya, Sudan, Eriteria and South Sudan also suffer from electricity shortages.
• These countries may reap benefits if Ethiopia sells electricity to them.

What is the current Status?

• Egypt announced recently that it is willing to resume negotiations with Ethiopia and Sudan.
• Egypt's foreign ministry said that any agreement would have to take into the account of interest of Ethiopia and Sudan as both are directly involved in the Nile river issue.
• Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced in April that his country would proceed with the first stage of filling the dam over which Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok held a virtual meeting with Ahmed to discuss the issue.
• Egypt has written to UNSC on May 1 that dam would jeopardize food and water security and livelihoods of ordinary Egyptian citizens.
• Egypt also implied in the letter that the dam would cause an armed conflict between the two countries.