The talks resumed last week via video conference after months of deadlock, and will start up again on Monday, statements from the three main Nile basin countries said Sunday. However, the most recent negotiations have been punctuated by strong comments from both Egypt and Ethiopia. Talks came to an acrimonious halt in February, after Ethiopia rejected a US-crafted deal and accused the Trump administration of siding with Egypt. Eighty-five percent of the Nile’s waters originate in Ethiopia from the Blue Nile, which is one of the Nile’s two main tributaries. Ethiopia has said it plans to start filling the dam in July this year, at the start of the rainy season.

Source: Irish Independent June 14, 2020 19:52 UTC