Sudan’s Water Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ethiopia’s Proposal Is ‘Suspicious’ as it Seeks Imposing a ‘Fait Accompli’

Sudan’s Irrigation and Water Minister Yasir Abbas Mohammed, Asharq Al-Awsat
Sudan’s Irrigation and Water Minister Yasir Abbas Mohammed, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Sudan’s Water Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: Ethiopia’s Proposal Is ‘Suspicious’ as it Seeks Imposing a ‘Fait Accompli’

Sudan’s Irrigation and Water Minister Yasir Abbas Mohammed, Asharq Al-Awsat
Sudan’s Irrigation and Water Minister Yasir Abbas Mohammed, Asharq Al-Awsat

Sudan’s Irrigation and Water Minister Yasir Abbas Mohammed has described Ethiopia’s recent proposal for data exchange on its disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as “suspicious” and likely an attempt to buy more time.

Ethiopia’s offer, according to the minister, is most likely a political tactic looking to impose a fait accompli on concerned downstream countries, namely Egypt and Sudan.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Mohammed justified Sudan’s rejection of the tabled proposition by pointing out its shortcomings, which include a lack of clarity on which data and information would be exchanged exactly.

He added that Ethiopia’s suggestion to nominate dam operators for data exchange before the filling of GERD in upcoming rainy seasons fails in defining important details for the safe and fair operation and filling the controversial dam.

Perhaps most important of all, the pitch for data exchange does not cover the grounds needed for ensuring that safety measures are in place and effective.

Sudan fears that the GERD will put the operation of its Roseires dam, which is located nearby the Ethiopian dam, and the lives of millions of Sudanese citizens at “a very high risk” if an agreement regulating its operation and filling is not reached.

As for speculations of armed conflict breaking out over GERD, Mohammed said that chances of war are “weak.”

Why did Sudan reject the Ethiopian offer to exchange data on the second filling of GERD?

We rejected Ethiopia’s offer because it is selective. It only covers naming operators for following up on the testing of the dam’s lower gates. The proposal does not include sharing important data like GERD’s filling dates and details and safety documents that we need to maintain safety at the Roseires dam.

Although we welcome the Ethiopian initiative, we stress the need for sharing vital information under a binding legal agreement that will ensure the sustainability and continuity of data exchange.

Can an agreement be reached within the little time left before Ethiopia’s deadline for the second filling of GERD in July?

Throughout talks, despite the hiccups, there was great progress. We managed to agree on about 90% of terms. Three legal points and four technical points remain unsettled. Altogether, they amount to no more than 10%, but are considered important and demand political will.

We expect that an agreement can be reached within a day or two after resolving those key points. The time left before the second filling is sufficient to sign an agreement, because there is not much left to negotiate. We just need the political will for it.

What are the outstanding issues?

Three main legal points are currently throwing a spanner in the works and they are dam filling, dam operation, and ensuring the equitable distribution of Nile waters.

Sudan has proposed granting Ethiopia the full right to the unlimited use of Blue Nile waters for irrigation, electricity and potable water if it abides by international law that guarantees the equitable distribution of resources. Requesting adherence to international law does not mean curtailing Ethiopia’s use of Nile waters.

As for the unsolved technical issues, they are not difficult to sort out if a binding agreement is first produced for the abovementioned legal points. Finding an agreement for them would be very easy.

What concerns did Ethiopia voice during negotiations?

There are no real concerns. The only present worries about Ethiopia's right to future use of Blue Nile waters. On that matter, Sudan was the one to propose Article 14 of the Declaration of Principles on GERD, which gives Ethiopia the full right to future projects on the Blue Nile in accordance with international law.

How did Sudan go from recognizing GERD’s many benefits to viewing it as a real threat?

Sudan’s position changed after Ethiopia dodged signing a binding legal agreement.

Yes, GERD can bring great benefits to Sudan as it regulates the flow of water, increased hydroelectric generation and reduces the risk of floods, but it will turn into a real threat in the absence of a compelling deal.

Before, Ethiopia was keen on achieving agreement. But since last July, it started insisting on filling the dam without first achieving any compelling accord. Ethiopia’s fait accompli policy converts GERD to a threat, especially to the operation of the nearby Roseires dam.

GERD is not located in Ethiopia’s heartland, it is only a mere 15 kilometers away from our borders, and 100 kilometers from Sudan’s Roseires dam. Without a binding legal agreement, GERD becomes a threat to Sudan, with all its benefits turning into risks.



Russian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mining Concessions Dependent on Ukraine Talks Progress

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Russian Official to Asharq Al-Awsat: Mining Concessions Dependent on Ukraine Talks Progress

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Amid statements made by US President Donald Trump regarding the future of agreements brokered by Riyadh over the Russia-Ukraine crisis, a Russian official has expressed Moscow's readiness to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities under US negotiation.

However, the official linked these concessions to the outcomes of talks in Riyadh.

Alexander Ionov, a member of Russia’s Human Rights Council under President Vladimir Putin, revealed that the Russian side supports establishing relations with the US.

According to Ionov, Russia is willing to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities, but everything depends on the negotiations concerning Ukraine.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Ionov pointed out that if progress is made in US-Russia understandings on Ukraine, and results are seen regarding the lifting of sanctions, that could potentially be the key to establishing normal, positive relations.

However, so far, Trump’s rhetoric remains purely political, with no concrete steps taken.

Regarding the potential inclusion of European Union countries in Ukraine-related negotiations at some stage, Ionov said that the negotiations are progressing, but the Ukrainian side is seeking to garner European support and set its own terms, which conflict with the views of both Russia and the US.

The White House is frustrated with Kyiv’s rhetoric, and Trump’s team is exerting significant pressure.

Ionov continued to say that everyone is waiting for the Black Sea agreement, reached by the Russian and US delegations, to come into effect.

However, it’s clear that this deal will only be effective after a ceasefire. In the meantime, Kyiv is losing territory, while Russia has liberated the Kursk region.

According to Ionov, European countries are eager to join the negotiation process, but for obvious reasons, they cannot be full participants. They support the Ukrainian scenario of autonomy, which means maintaining Ukraine’s territory as it stood in 1991.

He pointed out that leaders from many countries, especially France and the UK, have called for NATO peacekeeping forces to be deployed in Ukraine.

This is unacceptable to Russia, affirmed Ionov.

In general, we see an aggressive stance from European leaders who are willing to continue investing in this direction.

Ionov believes that US President Donald Trump wants to expedite the signing of a peace agreement on the Ukraine conflict, as he sees it as part of his election campaign.

However, the EU and Ukraine are slowing down the process, coupled with significant tensions in negotiations between the US and Russian delegations, with little progress made.

On the effectiveness of sanctions imposed on Russia, Ionov argued that Trump should find the real culprit in this whole matter, rather than threaten to impose restrictions on Russian oil.

In general, this will not have much impact on Russia’s economy, as the main consumers of Russian raw materials are not in the West, but in the East, confirmed Ionov.

Additionally, Russia has much greater influence over OPEC than the US. Saudi Arabia is actively cooperating with Russia and Venezuela on the oil market, and the US can do little about it at this point.

In reality, the Russian side supports building relations with the US, and it is willing to make concessions on certain raw materials and mining activities. But everything depends on the negotiations concerning Ukraine.

As for Saudi- Russian relations, Ionov reaffirmed that Russia engages with the Saudi people with warmth and kindness. Much work is being done at the official level, as Saudi Arabia is a key partner for Russia in the Middle East, he added.

Russian-Saudi cooperation shows a shared effort in developing the regional security framework, as well as advancing projects in humanitarian cooperation.

Ionov hoped the Kingdom will continue its efforts in developing joint energy projects with Russia and will participate in the BRICS alliance.