Request to involve quartet in GERD talks futile: MoFA

Addis Ababa, March 23, 2021 (FBC) –The request made to involve a quartet in the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiation is futile, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In his weekly press conference issued today, Spokesperson of the Ministry, Ambassador Dina Mufti reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to the African Union (AU)-led talks on GERD.

According to the Spokesperson, concerns over the future course of the negotiations, such as the quartet, have never been officially submitted to Ethiopia.

The AU-led negotiation should be finalized before any other option is pursued to solve outstanding issues among the tripartite regarding the GERD, he said.

The issue shall be treated by pertinent provisions of the Tripartite Declaration of Principles on GERD, he added.

Ethiopia has respect to the AU-led negotiation which is now temporally suspended due to power transition of chairperson of the AU, Ambassador Dina noted.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which took over the AU chair from South Africa, held discussions independently with the three countries- Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, he said.

“Ethiopia believes in the AU-led dialogue over the Grand Renaissance Dam and hopes that the negotiations will commence soon under DRC’s leadership,” he said.

“Ethiopia remains confident that the AU-led negotiation over the GERD is an ongoing process that will provide win-win solutions to the negotiating parties,” he added.

Ethiopia recently announced that the second filling of the dam will proceed this rainy season as planned. The dam is currently at 79% complete, according to the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy.