Sudan has announced the resumption of talks with Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the dispute over the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River.
Talks have been resumed via video conference between the three countries, with the mediation of South Africa, the current chair of the African Union.
In a press statement on Friday, which Asharq Al-Awsat has obtained a copy of, Sudan’s Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources said Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok received a letter from South African President Cyril Ramaphosa that praised the positive and constructive role that Sudan has played during the recent meeting of the AU heads of states over the GERD.
Hamdok’s contribution to the meeting affirmed Sudan’s commitment to reach a peaceful and mutually acceptable solution for the three parties, the letter read.
Ramaphosa also highlighted Khartoum’s “refraining from taking any measures or making any statements that could negatively affect the course of negotiations.”
Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the mediators and parties involved in these talks held Friday a procedural session during which they discussed the basis for negotiations.
Minister of State at South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) presented her country’s speech. Representatives of the three countries also delivered their opening remarks.
A detailed report over the progress of negotiations will be presented to the Presidents of South Africa and the three countries after a week.
Earlier round of talks failed to produce a deal on the operation and filling of the dam, prompting Egypt to appeal for the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to intervene.
