The foreign ministers of Egypt and Sudan met in Cairo to discuss vital matters concerning water security and their support for Somalia amidst regional tensions. They voiced concerns over the impact of Ethiopia’s dam project on their water supplies and highlighted the importance of Somalia’s sovereignty. Additionally, Egypt expressed full support for Sudan amid its ongoing internal conflict and humanitarian crisis.
The foreign ministers of Egypt and Sudan convened in Cairo on Sunday to address critical issues regarding water security and their support for Somalia. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Sudanese Foreign Minister Ali Al-Sharif emphasized the need for continued collaboration to ensure the safeguarding of their respective water interests amid ongoing disputes with Ethiopia over the Nile River dam project. Both countries, as downstream nations, fear that the construction of the dam by Ethiopia may adversely affect their water supplies. Despite years of negotiations aimed at resolving disagreements concerning the dam’s filling and operations, no significant progress has been achieved.
In further discussions, the ministers recognized the importance of maintaining Somalia’s sovereignty and alignment on efforts to address terrorism in the region. Recent tensions have surged between Somalia and Ethiopia, particularly after Ethiopia’s agreement with the separatist Somaliland, which grants the latter access to the Gulf of Aden coastline.
Additionally, Minister Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s unwavering support for Sudan amidst the ongoing conflict involving the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. He called for immediate action to institute a cease-fire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, highlighting the dire situation where over 20,000 lives have been lost and millions displaced since the conflict escalated in April 2023. The United Nations estimates that more than 25 million individuals are in urgent need of aid due to the crisis.
The context of the meeting between Egyptian and Sudanese foreign ministers primarily centers around the ongoing diplomatic tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. Egypt relies almost entirely on the Nile for its freshwater supplies, while Sudan shares similar concerns, positioning both nations against Ethiopia’s ambitions for development and electricity generation through the dam. The diplomatic landscape is further complicated by Somalia’s internal challenges and its relations with neighboring Ethiopia, particularly in the wake of new agreements impacting regional stability.
In summary, the discussions between Egypt and Sudan underscore the criticality of water security for both nations, particularly in light of their ongoing disputes with Ethiopia over the Nile dam project. Furthermore, their commitment to support Somalia’s sovereignty and combat terrorism reflects their collective efforts toward restructuring stability in the Horn of Africa. Abdelatty’s reaffirmation of support for Sudan highlights the urgent need for humanitarian assistance in the face of escalating violence and displacement. The outcomes of these dialogues will be crucial for regional peace and coexistence.
Original Source: www.aa.com.tr
