Assoumi called on Rivière to act to reach a binding and just agreement about the filling and operation of Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam. The Arab Parliament speaker requested that "this collective Arab stance be conveyed to the UNSC, expecting it to act to maintain world peace and security." Ethiopia has reiterated its plans to implement the second phase of filling in July and through the rainy season whether a deal is reached or not. Rounds of African Union-sponsored talks have collapsed with Egypt and Sudan blaming the collapse of negotiations on Ethiopia’s intransigence. Egypt’s and Sudan’s rejectionEgyptian and Sudanese foreign ministers expressed their rejection to Ethiopia’s announcement of starting the filling process for the second year.
