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Spotlight | Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia
Sisi tries containment tactics against Abiy's Renaissance dam

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“The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary”

Ethiopia

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

Although the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is due to come into service in 2021, no agreement has yet been found by Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan regarding their respective rights to the waters of the River Nile. For nearly a decade, the great Ethiopian dam has been a source of tension between the three countries. Ethiopia sees the €4bn project, which has been entirely financed by Ethiopian taxpayers but has not yet been completed, as a means of making itself self-sufficient in energy and affirming its power in the region. [...]

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was received on 27 May 2021 in Djibouti by his counterpart Ismail Omar Guelleh. © Ismaïl Omar Guelleh/Facebook

In his race to stop Ethiopia from filling its huge Renaissance dam, the Egyptian president is rallying the Nile Basin countries to his cause one by one. [...]

Published on 17/06/2021 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 4 minutes Antoine Galindo

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Diplomacy

Read this article in our running story

“The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary”

Ethiopia

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

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Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
Abiy Ahmed Ali
African Union
Albert Murasira
Arab League
Cyril Ramaphosa
Dassault
Donald Trump
Emmanuel Macron
Felix Tshisekedi
Ismail Omar Guelleh
Jean-Bosco Kazura
Lemma Megersa
Mohammed Farid Hegazy
Monica Juma
Mukhabarat El Harbeya
Nile Basin Initiative
Robert Kariuki Kibochi
Sillinger
Tigray Defense Forces
Uganda People's Defence Forces
United Nations

Ethiopia, Uganda
Kampala and Addis sketch out military rapprochement

Ugandan and Ethiopian military commanders met at the beginning of July to discuss military cooperation in the fields of training, intelligence, financing and the defence industry.

Subscribers only Defence 19.07.2024

Uganda
Museveni lends land in bid to make Uganda a regional hub for Emirati trade

Uganda is allocating more and more farmland to investors from the United Arab Emirates. This is part of Kampala's plan to take advantage of the civil war in Sudan to turn the country into a hub for Emirati trade in the region.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 10.10.2023

Egypt
Cairo wins battle of think tanks at African Union

Following intense negotiations, the coveted chairmanship of a new network of think tanks to support the AU peace and security commissioner Bankole Adeoye has been awarded to a Cairo-based policy institute close to the Egyptian foreign ministry.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 17.03.2023

Egypt
Egypt bids for regional leadership without the Nile Basin Initiative

Egypt is using a major inland waterway project to try to take on the role of leader on regional cooperation. At the same time, it has withdrawn from the Nile Basin Initiative, where Ethiopia is promoting a new agreement on members' respective rights to the waters of the Nile.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.12.2022

Egypt
Youssef, Zahran, Badawy among possible candidates to replace Foreign Minister Shoukry

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is on his way out. His successor is likely to be recruited from among the ambassadors posted in countries that Cairo sees as strategic.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 30.11.2022

Spotlight | East Africa
UAE's new minister for Africa dives into Nile maelstrom

Soon after Sheikh Shakhboot became the Emirati minister for African affairs in February last year he took on the hot potato of Ethiopia's vast GERD dam. This gives the young diplomat a perfect opportunity to demonstrate his abilities on an issue that affects two of the UAE's traditional allies.

Subscribers only Energy, Diplomacy 05.04.2022

The Emirati minister for African affairs Shakhboot bin Nahyan al-Nahyan.

Egypt, Horn of Africa
Abdelfattah al-Sisi's very personal diplomacy in the Horn

The Egyptian president snubbed an African Union summit and instead attended the Beijing Olympics in the company of his financial sponsor, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. Sisi is continuing his strategy of encircling his Ethiopian rival and consolidating his position in Sudan and Djibouti.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 14.02.2022

Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi (right) welcomed his Djiboutian counterpart Ismaïl Omar Guelleh (IOG) in Cairo, 7 February 2022.

Djibouti, Ethiopia
IOG fears Tigrayan advance in Ethiopia could lead to unrest in Djibouti

President Ismail Omar Guelleh ("IOG") is afraid that the Tigrayan forces' march on the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, could lead to a state of instability favourable to the Afar opposition in north western Djibouti.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 09.11.2021

Djibouti's president Ismail Omar Guelleh.

Horn of Africa
After Paris and Brussels, Obasanjo heads to New York

The African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa is coordinating with his Western partners on the strategy to be adopted to encourage the parties to the Ethiopian conflict to negotiate.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 13.10.2021

Olusegun Obasanjo, African Union (AU) special envoy to the Horn of Africa, was received on October 7, 2021 by French President Emmanuel Macron (right).

Egypt
Let down by Tshisekedi, Sisi turns to Sall, the next AU chair, for GERD support

Egypt isn't biding its time until the African Union's rotating chair passes to Senegal next year before soliciting its backing over Ethiopia's massive dam.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 06.10.2021

Macky Sall, Senegal's president and Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi, Egypt's president.

Spotlight | Egypt, Libya
To avoid clashing with Erdogan, Sisi plans to reduce his support to Haftar

After having long been an unconditional supporter of Khalifa Haftar, the Egyptian president is now ready to accept a median solution. He wants to avoid a direct confrontation with Turkey and devote his energy to other crises, particularly the one over Ethiopia's dam project on the River Nile.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.09.2021

Aguila Salah Issa, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi and Khalifa Haftar (from left to right) met in Cairo, on 14 september.

Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan
Foreign minister Lamamra dreams of GERD summit in Algiers

Algerian foreign minister Ramtane Lamamra has taken tentative steps to mediate between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in their dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and is considering holding a summit Algiers.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 15.09.2021

Kenya
Kenyatta's bid to grab the Commonwealth's secretary general post angers members

The Kenyan president's efforts to get his defence minister Monica Juma elected as the Commonwealth's secretary general during the 7 September summit has annoyed the alliance's other members, who dislike Kenya's attempts to monopolise positions in all other international organisations.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 13.09.2021

Kenyan defence minister Monica Juma with Kenya's head of state Uhuru Kenyatta.

Burundi
Why OMP Solutions is supplying Egyptian APCs to Burundi's blue helmets

The Marck subsidiary is to supply Burundian troops in MINUSCA with a batch of 16 armoured vehicles designed by Egyptian firm Kader. The arrangement comes amid warming relations between Evariste Ndayishimiye and Abdelfattah al-Sisi.

Subscribers only Defence, Business 13.09.2021

DRC, Ethiopia
Abiy sends watchdog to monitor DRC's chairmanship of the African Union

The new Ethiopian ambassador to DRC Woinshet Tadesse is well acquainted with the workings of the pan-African institution, having previously served as Addis' permanent representative to the African Union (AU).

Subscribers only Diplomacy 27.08.2021

Spotlight | Horn of Africa
Sudan fills diplomatic space abandoned by Addis

Sudanese prime minister Abdallah Hamdok has taken advantage of his position as chairman of regional, inter-governmental body IGAD to launch a series of diplomatic initiatives in the region.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 25.08.2021

Africa, Egypt
Ethiopian mega-dam to be top priority of the African Union's new Egyptian ambassador

Egypt is one of a number of African countries which is currently in the process of appointing new ambassadors in Addis Ababa, where the pan-African body has its headquarters.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 18.08.2021

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia.

Somalia
Farmajo fights back in wake of AU report

AU Peace and Security Council is expected to soon review the findings of a controversial report on Somalia. For several months, relations between Mogadishu and the African Union have been fraying.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 28.07.2021

Outgoing Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed, aka "Farmajo".

Egypt, Ethiopia
After failing at the UN, Sisi turns to MBZ for GERD support

The second phase of filling the vast Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam started on 5 July. Egypt, which failed to convince the UN to take up the issue, is doing all it can to get the UAE strongman to block Addis.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 21.07.2021

Spotlight | Africa
Abiy muzzles any AU discussion of Tigray

Ethiopia has carefully orchestrated pressure within the African Union so that the organisation never gets involved in its host country's affairs.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 19.07.2021

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at the 33rd African Union summit in Addis Ababa in February 2020.

In Focus | Sudan
Sudan leaders move transition goalposts to cling to power

After president Omar al-Bashir was deposed in 2019, a deal was struck to share power between military and civilian leaders for a transitional period leading to elections in December next year. But the ruling Sovereignty Council set up by that deal is stealthily finding ways to postpone the polls, which now will not happen before 2024.

Subscribers only Politics 21.06.2021

Ethiopia
Paris boosts new naval force with two Sillinger speedboats

France is equipping the Ethiopian navy with two Sillinger boats in a bid to capture a share of the market for its shipyards. Ethiopia does not have an access to the sea, but it hopes to house its fleet in a port in Eritrea or Djibouti.

Subscribers only Defence, Business 09.06.2021

Spotlight | Horn of Africa
Sisi tries two-pronged attack on Abiy via Khartoum and Djibouti

The Egyptian army wants to capitalise on President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit to Djibouti last week to strengthen cooperation with the country in hope of securing a permanent presence there. Cairo generals, which have already firmed up ties with their counterparts in Sudan, are fighting Ethiopia's plans to continue filling the Renaissance dam this summer.

Subscribers only Defence, Diplomacy 04.06.2021

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh in Djibouti.

Spotlight | Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan
Emirates seek to mediate between Sisi, Abiy, and Hamdock over GERD mega-dam

Emirati Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed has already offered to mediate between Sudan and Ethiopia in their dispute over the Al Fashaqa border region. He is now hoping to use his influence over the Egyptian, Sudanese, and Ethiopian regimes to try to resolve their thorny conflict over the Grand Renaissance Ethiopian Dam.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 30.04.2021

UAE Crown Prince Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Spotlight | Ethiopia, Sudan
Abu Dhabi's al-Fashaqa mediation is Act One of a long game of influence

Four months in the making, the UAE's February offer to mediate between its Sudanese and Ethiopian allies in their dispute over the fertile al-Fashaqa border region looks like the first step in a major diplomatic foray across eastern Africa.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 29.03.2021

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Abiy and Sisi spar over GERD in Washington through opposing lobbyists

Addis Ababa has followed in Cairo's footsteps and hired a US lobbying heavyweight. Worried his Egyptian rival will take the lead in the Grand Renaissance dam debate and concerned about his declining reputation over the Tigray conflict, the Ethiopian prime minister is working institutions, diplomats, and the media.

Subscribers only Energy, Diplomacy 24.02.2021

Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Egypt, Sudan
Al-Sisi spymasters plays guardian angel to transition in Khartoum

Following the Cairo visit of the president of the Sudanese transition Abdel Fattah Al Burhan, Egyptian intelligence has opened a military liaison bureau in Khartoum. The stated objective is to prevent any Islamist rearguard action against the transitional government.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 05.11.2020

The president of Sudan's Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and the Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

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Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi
Abiy Ahmed Ali
African Union
Albert Murasira
Arab League
Cyril Ramaphosa
Dassault
Donald Trump
Emmanuel Macron
Felix Tshisekedi
Ismail Omar Guelleh
Jean-Bosco Kazura
Lemma Megersa
Mohammed Farid Hegazy
Monica Juma
Mukhabarat El Harbeya
Nile Basin Initiative
Robert Kariuki Kibochi
Sillinger
Tigray Defense Forces
Uganda People's Defence Forces
United Nations

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Spotlight | Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia Sisi tries containment tactics against Abiy's Renaissance dam

The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

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The Renaissance Dam – a national symbol but a regional quandary

Set up email notifications for these topics

Ethiopia, Uganda Kampala and Addis sketch out military rapprochement

Uganda Museveni lends land in bid to make Uganda a regional hub for Emirati trade

Egypt Cairo wins battle of think tanks at African Union

Egypt Egypt bids for regional leadership without the Nile Basin Initiative

Egypt Youssef, Zahran, Badawy among possible candidates to replace Foreign Minister Shoukry

Spotlight | East Africa UAE's new minister for Africa dives into Nile maelstrom

Egypt, Horn of Africa Abdelfattah al-Sisi's very personal diplomacy in the Horn

Djibouti, Ethiopia IOG fears Tigrayan advance in Ethiopia could lead to unrest in Djibouti

Horn of Africa After Paris and Brussels, Obasanjo heads to New York

Egypt Let down by Tshisekedi, Sisi turns to Sall, the next AU chair, for GERD support

Spotlight | Egypt, Libya To avoid clashing with Erdogan, Sisi plans to reduce his support to Haftar

Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan Foreign minister Lamamra dreams of GERD summit in Algiers

Kenya Kenyatta's bid to grab the Commonwealth's secretary general post angers members

Burundi Why OMP Solutions is supplying Egyptian APCs to Burundi's blue helmets

DRC, Ethiopia Abiy sends watchdog to monitor DRC's chairmanship of the African Union

Spotlight | Horn of Africa Sudan fills diplomatic space abandoned by Addis

Africa, Egypt Ethiopian mega-dam to be top priority of the African Union's new Egyptian ambassador

Somalia Farmajo fights back in wake of AU report

Egypt, Ethiopia After failing at the UN, Sisi turns to MBZ for GERD support

Spotlight | Africa Abiy muzzles any AU discussion of Tigray

In Focus | Sudan Sudan leaders move transition goalposts to cling to power

Ethiopia Paris boosts new naval force with two Sillinger speedboats

Spotlight | Horn of Africa Sisi tries two-pronged attack on Abiy via Khartoum and Djibouti

Spotlight | Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan Emirates seek to mediate between Sisi, Abiy, and Hamdock over GERD mega-dam

Spotlight | Ethiopia, Sudan Abu Dhabi's al-Fashaqa mediation is Act One of a long game of influence

Spotlight | Ethiopia Abiy and Sisi spar over GERD in Washington through opposing lobbyists

Egypt, Sudan Al-Sisi spymasters plays guardian angel to transition in Khartoum

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Mali, Senegal, Togo
The secrets of Demex, the trader selling Russian oil in West Africa

Africa
The sensational rise and spectacular fall of Pefaco casino and hotels

Spotlight | Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia
Sisi tries containment tactics against Abiy's Renaissance dam

Ethiopia, Uganda
Kampala and Addis sketch out military rapprochement

Uganda
Museveni lends land in bid to make Uganda a regional hub for Emirati trade

Egypt
Cairo wins battle of think tanks at African Union

Egypt
Egypt bids for regional leadership without the Nile Basin Initiative

Egypt
Youssef, Zahran, Badawy among possible candidates to replace Foreign Minister Shoukry

Spotlight | East Africa
UAE's new minister for Africa dives into Nile maelstrom

Egypt, Horn of Africa
Abdelfattah al-Sisi's very personal diplomacy in the Horn

Djibouti, Ethiopia
IOG fears Tigrayan advance in Ethiopia could lead to unrest in Djibouti

Horn of Africa
After Paris and Brussels, Obasanjo heads to New York

Egypt
Let down by Tshisekedi, Sisi turns to Sall, the next AU chair, for GERD support

Spotlight | Egypt, Libya
To avoid clashing with Erdogan, Sisi plans to reduce his support to Haftar

Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan
Foreign minister Lamamra dreams of GERD summit in Algiers

Kenya
Kenyatta's bid to grab the Commonwealth's secretary general post angers members

Burundi
Why OMP Solutions is supplying Egyptian APCs to Burundi's blue helmets

DRC, Ethiopia
Abiy sends watchdog to monitor DRC's chairmanship of the African Union

Spotlight | Horn of Africa
Sudan fills diplomatic space abandoned by Addis

Africa, Egypt
Ethiopian mega-dam to be top priority of the African Union's new Egyptian ambassador

Somalia
Farmajo fights back in wake of AU report

Egypt, Ethiopia
After failing at the UN, Sisi turns to MBZ for GERD support

Spotlight | Africa
Abiy muzzles any AU discussion of Tigray

In Focus | Sudan
Sudan leaders move transition goalposts to cling to power

Ethiopia
Paris boosts new naval force with two Sillinger speedboats

Spotlight | Horn of Africa
Sisi tries two-pronged attack on Abiy via Khartoum and Djibouti

Spotlight | Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan
Emirates seek to mediate between Sisi, Abiy, and Hamdock over GERD mega-dam

Spotlight | Ethiopia, Sudan
Abu Dhabi's al-Fashaqa mediation is Act One of a long game of influence

Spotlight | Ethiopia
Abiy and Sisi spar over GERD in Washington through opposing lobbyists

Egypt, Sudan
Al-Sisi spymasters plays guardian angel to transition in Khartoum