The Nile is the most important source of fresh water in a largely arid region that is very vulnerable to drought and climate change and is experiencing rapid population growth. Tensions spiked in mid-July after satellite images showed water building up behind the dam wall and initial reports suggested the gates had been closed. ADMediation efforts that have drawn in the U.S., United Nations Security Council and African Union failed to yield a compromise. And Egypt has warned all options are on the table should the dam be filled unilaterally, but has held back on threatening military action. During Omar al-Bashir’s rule, Sudan accepted Ethiopia’s assurances that the dam would help control flooding and it would benefit from the power it generated.

Source: The North Africa Journal July 18, 2020 06:56 UTC