GERD Talks in Kinshasa Collapse over Observers Role

Talks between foreign and water ministers of Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have collapsed this week, after Ethopian negotiators rejected the idea of elevating observers role.

Ethiopia's delegation was led by Demeke Mekonnen, deputy prime and foreign minister, and comprised Seleshi Bekele (PhD), minister of Water, Irrigation & Energy.

Concluding a three-day summit in Kinshasa, the capital of DR Congo, the parties into the negotiations over disputes with the GERD failed to agree to give the US and the EU similar role as the Africa Union (AU). The AU serves as a negotiator for the tripartite locked in a bitter dispute, a framework Ethiopia wants to see unchanged, while Sudan and Egypt demanded the US and EU to involve in the process beyond mere status of observers.

The two countries followed an approach that seeks to undermine the AU-led process and to take the matter out of the African platform, says a press statement Ethiopia's Ministery of Foreign Affairs issued after the summit. But Ethiopia has agreed for exchanges of information and proposals with the observers, including South Africa, when jointly asked by the three countries, according to the statement.

The blame for the collapse of talks in Kinshasa lies with Egypt and Sudan, according to Ethiopia's Ambassador to the UAE, Suleiman Dedefo.

"The AU-led process on the GERD which was convened in Kinshasa was not successful, because of lack of political will of Egypt and Sudan," the Ambassador tweeted on April 6.

Egypt did not see the summit in the same light as Ethiopia framed it.

Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, called the statement by Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry released in the aftermath of Kinshasa as "a complete lie and has nothing to do with the truth," according to the Sky News Arabic.

Put your comments here

Related Posts

Commentaries | Jul 13,2020

As Pandemic Worsens, Banks Can Play Positive Role

Life Matters | Sep 13,2025

Once a Song, Now a Powerhouse, The GERD Arrives

Commentaries | Sep 11,2020

With GERD, the Blue Nile Rises from Resource Curse to Blessing

Fortune News | Jan 09,2020

Agreement Over GERD Remains Elusive

Commentaries | Aug 29,2020

GERD - Where Past Injustices Must Give Way to Future Possibilities

Viewpoints | Sep 06,2020

Smell the Coffee, End the Fruitless GERD Negotiations

Viewpoints | Sep 30,2023

G20's Diminished Role Signals a Shift in Global Power Dynamics

Fortune News | Jul 27,2025

Tourism Collapse Triggers Foreclosure Threats in Sacred Town

Fortune News | Dec 14,2019

Ethiopia in Talks with IMF for $3b Finance

Radar | Feb 23,2019

Chinese Firm Seals Deal to Pre-Commission GERD

---