Ethiopia Rejects Egypt's Claims of Triggering Sudan Floods with GERD Opening
Ethiopia has refuted Egypt's allegations that the opening of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) gates caused recent flooding in Sudan. This comes amidst ongoing regional tensions surrounding the mega-dam project on the Nile River.
Egypt's Accusations
Egypt's water ministry stated on Friday that the GERD released "enormous water quantities" immediately after its inauguration in early September. They claimed this resulted in the flooding of agricultural lands and villages in neighbouring Sudan. Cairo has been a long-standing critic of the dam, fearing it poses an "existential threat" to its water supply, as the Nile provides 97% of Egypt's water needs.
Ethiopia's Response
In a statement released on Saturday, Ethiopia's water ministry dismissed Egypt's claims as "false and defamatory," accusing Cairo of attempting to "mislead the international community." They asserted that flooding in Sudan is due to rising water levels in the White Nile tributary and is unrelated to activities at the GERD.
Understanding the Nile Tributaries and GERD's Purpose
The GERD is located on the Blue Nile tributary, which contributes approximately 85% of the Nile's waters. Ethiopia maintains that the dam may have actually mitigated the impact of heavy rainfall this year, potentially preventing "historic destruction of human lives and infrastructure" in both Sudan and Egypt. Pietro Salini, CEO of Webuild, the main contractor for the GERD, clarified that the dam "releases water to produce energy" and that there is "no change in the flow. It's just regulated."
