VASSILY A. NEBENZIA (Russian Federation), while acknowledging the importance of the largest hydropower project in Africa, highlighted the legitimate concerns of Egypt and Sudan about its potential negative impact in the absence of an agreement. However, there is no alternative to resolving the dispute than negotiations, he said, stressing that the search for a solution must be conducted in the spirit of the 2015 Khartoum Declaration and must take into account the progress made in determining the modalities of the dam. “Mutual understanding and trust are necessary,” he added, warning that statements about the possible use of force should be avoided. “We are concerned about the escalation of conflict rhetoric,” as disagreements over development should not lead to threats to peace and security, he stressed. A gradual agreement on the filling of the reservoir and the operation of the plant could help to reach a mutually acceptable agreement. The best outcome would be negotiations between all the countries of the Nile Basin, he said, welcoming the involvement of the African Union, including its committee of technical and legal experts. However, he called on the regional organization to intensify its scope of action and noted that increasing the number of intermediaries and observers would not bring added value, although their participation was possible with the consent of all countries concerned. He suggested that all interested parties hold talks on the ground under the mediation of the Chairperson of the African Union, with all three parties currently in New York. He described this option as the best contribution the Council could make to the search for a solution and stressed his country`s willingness to carry out satellite monitoring of the filling of the reservoir at the request of all stakeholders.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mariam al-Mahdi also called for an early resumption of talks in order to reach “an agreement acceptable to all three sides.” It welcomed the visit of Congolese Foreign Minister Christophe Lutundula to Khartoum, whose country holds the presidency of the African Union. Following the recent meeting of the Presidium of the Assembly of the African Union, convened by President Cyril Ramaphosa, President of South Africa, he said that a positive and constructive spirit clearly showed the willingness of all parties to reach a mutually agreed agreement. The parties recognized the potential of the project for the African Union, engaged in a process moderated by the President, and pledged not to make a statement or to take measures that could jeopardize or complicate the process led by the bloc. The Presidium of the Assembly of the African Union and the participating Heads of State and Government have requested the United Nations Security Council to take note of these developments and of the fact that this issue is before the African Union. It is therefore important that the Security Council respect those continental efforts and, through the agreed mechanisms, provide the parties with space to find a solution that will ensure a peaceful and prosperous future for the three neighbouring countries. Egypt has drawn the Council`s attention to this issue in order to avoid further escalation and to ensure that unilateral measures do not undermine efforts to reach agreement or undermine the rights and interests of downstream States. Living in the driest countries bordering the Nile Basin and in one of the poorest countries in the world, Egyptians are forced to inhabit more than 7% of the country`s territory along a thin strip of a fertile green delta whose annual share of water is 560 cubic meters, well below the global threshold of water scarcity. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has an average annual rainfall of 936 billion cubic meters, 5% of which flows into the Blue Nile and 11 other river basins, some of which are shared with neighboring states and offer all opportunities for regional economic cooperation and integration.

In July, Egypt and Sudan called for a legally binding Security Council resolution that would require the three countries to negotiate a legally binding agreement within six months under the auspices of the AU “that will guarantee Ethiopia`s ability to produce hydropower.” and at the same time prevent significant damage to the water security of downstream States. “These differences can be overcome,” Rosemary A. DiCarlo said and briefed the Council on the latest developments, “and an agreement can be reached if all parties demonstrate the political will to compromise in accordance with the spirit of cooperation highlighted in the 2015 Declaration of Principles.” Recalling that the Blue Nile accounts for 85% of the main volume of banknotes when it merges with the White Nile in Khartoum, she said it is an important transboundary water resource crucial for the livelihoods and development of the people of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. Construction of the dam, a large hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia`s Benishangul-Gumuz region, began in April 2011 and, once completed, will significantly increase the country`s energy sources, increase electrification, accelerate industrialization and export excess electricity to the region. She commended the parties for their determination to negotiate an agreement and the efforts of the African Union to facilitate the process, saying the remaining differences were of a technical and legal nature, including the binding nature of an agreement, a dispute settlement mechanism and the management of water flow during droughts. Although the United Nations did not participate in the negotiations, the Secretary-General is fully dizzy on this issue. The United Nations stands ready to provide technical and technical assistance when the three countries so wish and wish, including any support that may be necessary for the African Union-led process. It is now up to the Security Council to take note of the outcome of the African Union meeting and welcome it and call on the three countries to honour their commitments and commitments, he said. It calls on the Council to encourage the parties to negotiate in good faith and to refrain from any unilateral action until it is carried out, and presents a draft resolution in line with the outcome of the African Union meeting, which aims to express the great interest of the international community in reaching an agreement and assessing the dangers of unilateral action. Egypt is ready to do everything possible to reach an agreement, he said, calling on his friends and colleagues in Ethiopia and Sudan to invoke the spirit of brotherhood and kinship between their countries and peoples. “Let`s embrace the undeniable truth of our community and our camaraderie,” he said.

“Let us seize the opportunity ahead to shape our destiny, rewrite history and chart a new path of peace and prosperity for our peoples. The delegate of Mexico also shared his country`s experience, noting that it has a long history of sharing water resources, both on the northern border with the United States and on the southern border with Belize and Guatemala. He suggested that the International Border Water Commission, established in 1989 between the United States and Mexico, could serve as a good model for similar agreements between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan, urged them to reach an agreement on filling the dam and urged them to refrain from taking measures that could undermine goodwill. which is necessary for such a compromise. The issue then returned to the African Union, following the principle of “African solutions to African problems,” he said, referring to the draft agreement and the resolution of 90 percent of the technical problems as one of the gains achieved. The creation of a dispute settlement mechanism and water management during droughts are among the open issues, he said. He described the African Union`s diplomatic initiatives and said they included a personal ministerial conference in Kinshasa in April. These high-level consultations have facilitated the negotiations, he added, recalling that on 24 June, President Tshisekedi assured the Presidium of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union that he was working to restore confidence and find consensus among the three states. The delegate of the Dominican Republic said he was encouraged to learn that the three parties had decided to continue a negotiation process led by the African Union.

Their decision not to make statements or to take action that could threaten or complicate this process demonstrates their level of willingness to compromise and good faith towards an out-of-court settlement. “Resolving key outstanding issues such as water exchange, drought mitigation and the dispute settlement mechanism would set an excellent regional and international precedent for future disputes on these issues.” It recommended that the parties take into account the legitimate concerns and interests of the other party in order to avoid mutual mistrust, reach the necessary compromises and reach a timely agreement […].