Rivers originating in the Ethiopian highlands, which include the Blue Nile (Abay), provide more than 85% of the water that flows into the Nile River. The 1929 Anglo-Egyptian Treaty estimated the average annual flow of the Nile as 84 billion cubic metres (BCM). It allocated 48 BCM to Egypt and 4 BCM to Sudan. The 1959 Nile Treaty increased Egypt’s portion to 55.5 BCM (66% of Nile waters) and Sudan’s to 18.5 BCM (22%).The rest, 10 BCM or 12% of Nile waters, was set aside to account for seepage and evaporation. But Egypt and Sudan refused to sign it, arguing that it didn’t recognise their historically acquired rights.Ethiopia signed the agreement and in 2011 announced its decision to build the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.

Source: Ethiopian News March 10, 2022 06:04 UTC