Egypt’s government has announced that it will withdraw from the latest round of Nile dam talks to hold internal consultations. The statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Water said that its decision to withdraw from the latest round of tripartite negotiations with Sudan and Ethiopia comes after Addis Ababa proposed a new draft of filling guidelines.
Egypt’s delay will allow for internal consultations regarding the dam to be built on the Blue Nile from where Egypt draws 90% of its fresh water. Egypt fears Ethiopia’s planned Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project will lead to upstream water shortages.
"Egypt and Sudan demanded meetings be suspended for internal consultations on the Ethiopian proposal, which contravenes what was agreed upon during the African Union summit," the Ministry statement said.