Nile dispute no closer to being resolved, despite African Union mediation

Week in Review

This picture taken on November 26, 2019 shows a view of the church of the Coptic Orthodox Church of Saint George and its adjacent service building, overlooking the Nile river in the Egyptian capital Cairo's southern suburb of Kozzika, about 15 kilometres south of the city centre. - Egypt has for years been suffering from a severe water crisis that is largely blamed on population growth. Mounting anxiety has gripped the already-strained farmers as the completion of Ethiopia's gigantic dam on the Blue Nile, a — The Coptic Orthodox Church of St. George and its adjacent service building overlooking the Nile River in Cairo's southern suburb of Kozzika are seen Nov. 26, 2019. — AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images

Last week, we asked if time had run out for diplomacy to resolve the dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The good news is that there is still some thread left, at least for now, thanks to an agreement brokered by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and the African Union.

But the emphasis here is on “for now,” and probably not for long, as the issues separating Egypt and Ethiopia are no closer to being resolved despite the African Union initiative.

At best a pause …

Nile dispute no closer to being resolved, despite African Union mediation

Agreement between Ethiopia, Egypt offers prospect of more talks but no clear pathway to resolution.

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