CAIRO (AP) — Pope Francis on Saturday urged Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan to continue talks to resolve their years-long dispute over a massive dam Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile that has led to sharp regional tensions and fears of military conflict. The Blue Nile is the source of as much as 85% of the Nile River's water. Sudan said Ethiopia’s latest proposal threatened the entire negotiations, and it would return to the negotiating table only for a deal on the dam’s filling and operation. The African Union-led talks among the three countries are scheduled to resume Monday, according to Sudan's Irrigation Ministry. Years-long negotiations among Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia failed to reach a deal on the dam.

Source: Ethiopian News August 15, 2020 14:26 UTC