Ethiopia's Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn has rejected a call by Egypt for World Bank arbitration in a dispute over a hydroelectric dam Addis Ababa is building along its share of the Nile. The two countries are at odds over the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, with Cairo fearing the project would restrict waters flowing down from Ethiopia's highlands and through the deserts of Sudan to its fields and reservoirs. After his meeting with the Ethiopian leader, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi pledged not to let differences over a construction of the dam ruin relations with Addis Ababa. Among the questions Ethiopia and Egypt disagree about is the speed at which the dam's reservoir would be filled. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam — now 60 percent complete — will churn out 6,000 MW upon completion.

Source: Ethiopian News January 22, 2018 15:45 UTC