United Nations
The United Nations Security Council plans to meet Monday to discuss Egypt and Sudan’s objections to Ethiopia’s construction of a mega-dam on the Nile River, diplomatic sources said Thursday. The public video conference was called by the United States on behalf of Egypt, according to the sources. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday he would meet with the prime minister of Sudan shortly. “The only way out in a situation like this is through dialogue among the parties and we are entirely at the disposal of the parties,” he said Ethiopia wants to start filling the reservoir for the 475-foot (145-meter) Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in July, with or without approval from the two other countries. Egypt sees the structure as an “existential” threat and Sudan on Thursday warned of “great risk” to millions of human lives if the dam plan moves forward. The Council already met informally, also at Egypt’s request, behind closed doors Monday to discuss letters sent by the involved countries expressing their concerns. “We urge Egypt, we urge Ethiopia and Sudan to work together to intensify efforts to peacefully resolve outstanding differences,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said then.
