Ethiopia Isolated in Nile Dispute as Sudan Sides with Egypt

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi during his meeting with the Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. Photo courtesy of Egyptian Presidential Facebook page.

NAIROBI, Kenya - Ethiopia will have to battle on its own in the Nile River conflict after Sudan agreed to engage Egypt over the recent treaty, which came into force a few weeks ago on the usage of the Nile Basin, which supports livelihoods in the region.

Ali Youssef, Sudan’s new Foreign Minister, held a phone call discussion with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry, where the Nile Basin conflict dominated, diplomatic sources told Sudan Tribune on the latest twist in the conflict.

The call followed the entry into force of a Nile Basin treaty that Egypt and Sudan have opposed. The treaty, which South Sudan joined in July, enables the establishment of a Nile River Basin Commission.

Shoukry contacted Youssef to understand Sudan’s position on the issue, the sources said. Ethiopia, which is in conflict with several countries in the Horn of Africa, is gradually getting isolated in the whole scenario.

According to the sources, the ministers discussed the treaty and the potential formation of the commission. Youssef stressed Sudan’s commitment to coordinating with Egypt on Nile River issues.

Egypt and Sudan have criticized the treaty, saying it violates international law. They argue that the commission, which includes Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and South Sudan, does not represent all Nile Basin states.

The two countries also oppose Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which is nearing completion. Egypt believes the filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam would deprive its citizens of the much-needed resource - water.

Several ministers from Nile Basin countries arrived in Addis Ababa on Monday to discuss the establishment of the commission. Sources said they would tour the GERD on Tuesday, the Sudan Tribune adds.

GAROWE ONLINE