Ethiopia says the final US-mediated talks with Egypt and Sudan over the filling and operation of the $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam have ended in deadlock. The three nations had last month agreed on an initial deal, following talks mediated by the US and World Bank, that the Grand Renaissance Dam should be filled in stages during the rainy season. Ethiopia also says the GERD project will not cause harm to downstream countries but would provide electricity to over 60 million people. Ethiopia says the project will have a significant role in economic integrations among the horn and east African countries. GERD, the largest hydropower project in Africa has reached 70% completion and is expected to be fully functional in 2023.

Source: Ethiopian News February 14, 2020 10:41 UTC