Ethiopia has rejected the World Bank’s (WB) mediation over the row with Egypt concerning the repercussions of the giant hydroelectric dam Addis Ababa is building on the Nile River, Cairo deeming the project threatens its water security. Ethiopia has also refused to sideline Sudan from the talks in a sign that indicates rising frictions between Addis Ababa and Cairo, which fears that the Ethiopian dam will have repercussions on its share of Nile water. Commentators see tougher times ahead for negotiations over the Nile dam in light of the surge in tension between Egypt on one side and Sudan and Ethiopia on the other side. Ethiopia is building the dam to satisfy its electricity needs and export output to neighboring countries, while Sudan wants a reconsideration of the 1950s agreement. Egypt, which considers the Nile a matter of life or death, fears that the Ethiopian dam will further diminish its share of Nile water amid a surge in domestic demand.

Source: Ethiopian News January 23, 2018 13:41 UTC