Africa Energy: Three-nation talks on Ethiopia dam fail to reach agreement

Talks in Khartoum between Ethiopia, Sudanand Egypt to resolve differences over a dam Ethiopia is building ended early on Friday without agreement, the Sudanese foreign minister said.

Egypt and Ethiopia are at loggerheads over the constructionof the Grand Renaissance Dam, a $4-billion hydroelectric project that Cairo fears will reduce waters that run to its fields and reservoirs from Ethiopia’s highlands and via Sudan.

The issue is being closely followed in Nile capitals that are dependent on the river for irrigation and drinking water.

Ghandour said the talks on the dam on the Blue Nile were constructive and important, but more time was needed, Khartoum’s state news agency SUNA said.

The talks were attended by the foreign ministers, irrigation ministers and intelligence chiefs of the three countries.

No date has been set for further discussions, but irrigation ministers are planning to meet at some point for more talks on the matter, the minister said. source: Reuters