Despite strong opposition from Egypt and Sudan, Ethiopia is planning to begin the second phase of filling this August. But last November, while the Ethiopian army was busy battling TPLF rebels, the Sudanese army took control of the contested area. Weeks after the move, Sudanese officials declared that the Sudanese army had managed to regain about 90% of the al-Fashaqa area and demanded that the Ethiopian army vacate the remaining two localities. “Throughout last year, Egypt tried to befriend the federal government of Somalia by promising military aid,” said the official. “Egypt is trying to gain influence in our region.

Source: Ethiopian News January 24, 2021 11:03 UTC