The presidents of Sudan, Omar al Bashir of Egypt, Abdelfatah al Sissi, and the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Haile Mariam Dessalegne, signed nthis Monday (22), in Khartoum a declaration of principles on the controversial Great Renaissance damnot Blue Nile.
Before signing the document, the three leaders discussed the formula that allows Egypt and Sudan to maintain their respective water quotas after the dam construction is completed.
“There will be development and growth for you and I welcome that, but don’t forget that in Egypt we live with the water that comes from this river”, highlighted President al-Sissi.
Initially, Egypt considered that the project would harm its water supply, which is already insufficient.
“This construction will not harm the people of the three countries and, specifically, Egypt,” said the Ethiopian prime minister.
Construction of the dam, whose cost amounts to around 3,700 million euros, began in 2011, on the Blue Nile and is scheduled for completion in 2016. It will be capable of producing energy levels equivalent to those of six nuclear power plants.