President Sahle-Work holds talks with Rwandan President

Addis Ababa, March 16, 2020 (FBC) – President Sahle-Work Zewde today met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Kigali to discuss bilateral issues.

The tour is also part of Ethiopia’s move to create an understanding and support on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to Nile riparian countries and international partners at large.

The Ethiopian President last week travelled to Kenya and Uganda to brief the leaders on the dam.

Both Kenyan and Uganda leaders reiterated the importance of ensuring the equitable and sustainable use of the River Nile waters.

A high-level delegation led by former President Mulatu Teshome also travelled to Europe last week for the same mission.

He delivered a message from Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed to EU Council and Commission as well as French President Emmanuel Macron.

During his encounter with the EU and French officials, Mulatu explained that Ethiopia has been committed to find a win- win solution to the ongoing negotiation between Egypt and the Sudan.

He explained at length Ethiopia’s commitment, from the outset, to promote the principles of equitable and reasonable utilisation and not causing significant harm.

Mulatu further explained that based on the clear stipulation of the Declaration of Principles signed between the three parties in 2015, Ethiopia will have to continue the first filling of the GERD in parallel with the construction of the Dam.

He further expressed the need to set the record straight that Ethiopia has never backed down on the ongoing negotiations on the matter but rather requested all parties to the negotiation for more time to conclude its national consultation on the status of the negotiation.

Both the EU and the French officials have noted Ethiopia’s intent to look for a win- win solution.

They have also further affirmed the discussion has helped them understand what salient differences lay in the negotiation and expressed their wishes for the three parties to reach a mutual understanding on the matter.