Geopolitics of the Nile: Why is the Dam So Controversial?

Africa's Largest Dam: Geopolitics of the Nile

The dam is at the center of Ethiopia’s bid to become Africa’s biggest power exporter. Economic growth in Ethiopia, which is Africa’s second-most populous nation, has been stifled by a lack of electricity. Industry revenues are decimated by the nightmare of daily, unpredictable power cuts. The dam’s power will also help with similar problems in Sudan, Kenya and Djibouti, all of which are connected to Ethiopia’s grid and will begin importing power from it in the coming years. Long but futile negotiations over the years have left Egypt and Ethiopia and their neighbor Sudan short of an agreement to regulate how Ethiopia will operate the dam and fill its reservoir.

Egypt, which is Africa’s third-most populous nation, relies on the Nile for more than 90% of its fresh water supplies and wants a legally binding treaty on how Ethiopia can use the Blue Nile’s waters. With the construction of the Dam (GERD) underway, a complex trans boundary water situation is at hand: the GERD is nearing completion, with no specific agreement yet on water sharing or reservoir operations. The dam can capture more than the average annual flow and can thus dramatically change the river’s flow. Although most Nile waters originate in Ethiopia, nearly all use occurs downstream in Egypt and Sudan. Egypt, fearing major disruptions to its access to the Nile’s waters, originally intended to prevent even the start of the GERD’s construction. In fact, Egypt has called the filling of the dam an existential threat. At this point, though, the GERD is nearly completed, and so Egypt has shifted its position to trying to secure a political agreement over the timetable for filling the GERD’s reservoir and how the dam will be managed, particularly during droughts. Thus the Geopolitics of the Nile has been a hot topic.

Sudan is caught between the competing interests of Egypt and Ethiopia. Although Khartoum initially opposed the construction of the GERD, it has since warmed up to it, citing its potential to improve prospects for domestic development. Nevertheless, Khartoum continues to fear that the operation of the GERD could threaten the safety of Sudan’s own dams and make it much more difficult for the government to manage its own development projects.

[gladstonelewis]

From Jamaica 🇯🇲 love you Ethiopia 🇪🇹 😘 ❤

[frederickngwenya]

Now it makes sense why Egypt is also amongst those behind the war in Ethiopia.
Lots of love from South Africa

[aseelhassoun]

As a sudanese person… i understand the risk this dam has on sudan but Egypt started this…and it is a country with no respect to its fellow African nations!…i hope this dam gets built … Ethiopia!!! 🇪🇹

[sereronaturals]

As a Kenya, who visits our dear neighbors Ethiopia, I know their pain of power cuts and power shortage. If God allowed the river Nile to pass thru all these countries, then they should All benefit from it;Especially the countries at the source of the Nile Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sudan and up to Egypt. The Nile is our Blessing from God🙏🙌❤️ let's protect it and use it to benefit and enrich our lives❤️

[AKae]

Keep investing in yourself and your channel. You’re doing great. Thanks so much for bringing to light how spectacular and diverse Mama Africa really is. I’m black American so unfortunately, I don’t know where my origins are rooted specifically, but at least I know where home is. With patience, your rewards will come. Wishing you all the best ❤️ 1111

[Biobele]

Egypt should go and meet UK for their river since they signed the agreement with UK and not Ethiopia.
They also went to USA, Saudi Arabia instead of AU or other African bodies.

[ermiasgetachew]

Very good presentation. Ethiopia will build many other dams in the Nile river, Egypt's Selfishness will end then.

[stevenbarrett]

steven barrett
Thank you for your big picture view, little Jamaican me is still trying to wrap my head around Egypt being upset with Ethiopia, for building a hydro electric dam to provide adequate electricity for it's people, ON ITS OWN SOIL. There is something quite strange about the Egyptian mindset.

[patrickwambua]

This is so well researched and presented i am so proud of what you are doing. Keep it up

[abdurehimhussein]

its time for ETHIOPIANS & AFRICANS

[wilcoxdaniel]

If Egypt wasn't so selfish it should have been helping Sudan drain the sudd and use that fast watered area for agriculture as Sudan tried but failed to do. Then it's food supplies would have been secured. Cooperation with neighbours is the only answer or perhaps some form of federation with Sudan Ethiopia where shared interest can mean enhanced relationships and focused development for all.

[gseyoum]

Very well informed presentation. keep representing africa.

[minyahlkasahun]

We ethiopian believed Africa problems solve by Africans. We don't need western colonialists mediation. Big up africa big up Ethiopia. Africa united

[BantuKing]

Thanks for the education. All of your videos are very informative about the continent. Keep on teaching bro!

[kemaltabessekemaltabesse]

Egyptians they are playing 2cards 1said with Africa by other hand with Arab league countries

[melkamuhailedire]

God bless my Country Ethiopian 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹 🇪🇹
👉 ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹🇪🇹

[peterkaburu]

Imagine being denied to use water from a river that passes in your country by a country that's not in your continent. UK should give Egypt their snow to use during drought.

[askme]

Egypt and Sudan (Sorry with their Master Britain ) made two times an agreement over the Abbay river without Ethiopia !?! 🤣🤣🤣
So, Dear Eygyt & Sudan go and ask water from Britain or Arab league ... whatever . Go Ethiopia ✊
Africa for Africans by Africans ✊

[gmcwww]

Ethiopia can do whatever they want with the Nile, as long as they don't do a border dispute, I think Egypt ideas are just overrated, Egypt is surrounded by loads of water, just convert it into fresh water as fake Israeli did and problems of fresh waters will

[lindsaykania]

love learning more about the nile thx for the video