Explainer: Egypt fears losing water supply to Ethiopia mega-dam | Al Jazeera English

Ministers from Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia are holding talks over disputes related to the world's longest river.
Egypt, which depends on the Nile for water, is worried about a dam being built upstream by Ethiopia.
The $5bn dam will be the largest in Africa and Ethiopia wants it to produce electricity for 70 percent of its population.
But Egypt, which relies on the Nile for 90 percent of its water supply, fears the dam would divert enough water to destroy half of the country's farmland.

Al Jazeera's Bernard Smith explains.

#Explainer

[kushiticman]

I’m from Somalia I agree with ithiopia to have electricity because the region needs to be develop

[tellingfoxtales]

Africans no longer be dictating to by arabs, I applaud Ethiopia.

[Peter-ohdb]

Ethiopia has the right to use all waters on her land.

[naseankershaw]

The African people don't dictate the Arabs on what to do with their oil, so the Arabs shouldn't the African people on what to do with their water. It only seems fair.

[HelloWorld]

Let me tell you guys why Egypt is mad about this dam (Africa's largest dam). It's because the rich soul from Ethiopia will no longer freely run down the Nile making their land fertile, like it's been doing for thousands of years. This is why Egypt is made! Water will continue to flow into Egypt, because this a hydro electric power plant and water must flow in order to create friction which creates electricity. This dam will not be used for irrigation, Ethiopia has 9 other river, but the Nile (known as Abay in Amharic) will be used for generating electricity ONLY! Egypt just wants the black soot from Ethiopia. They will no longer get it. If they want our free soil then give us free oil, since we don't have oil. But, the water will still flow people. It has to, to generate electricity. Egyptians were even caught on camera discussing how to destabilize Ethiopian using tribal issues. These people are evil!

[aschalewyehuala]

While you all are talking here...my Ethiopia is busy building the dam and soon will start filling it. As it was said before both nations will benefit from it. Egypt has no right to force the Ethiopian government to stop the construction. #Longliveኢትዮጵያዬ

[berhanwar]

Egypt must stop depending on the Nile and build desalination plants along the Mediterranean and Red Sea, like Saudi Arabia.

[GetUnrealistic]

I understand Egypt's concern, but I lost respect for them when they threatened Ethiopia's dam with airstrikes. (Free) Countries do what is good for THEM and that's what Ethiopia is doing.

[framboiseymar]

I am with Egypt. Egypt had a good water source and if Ethiopia stops the water from reaching Egypt, then Egypt will not get as much water. Egypt will lose 90% of it's water like that. Egypt has the right to defend their country

[Time]

We have to use all the resources we have in order to overcome poverty. We can’t live poor forever. What Ethiopia is doing is the right thing, which must be respected.

[mursalwarsame]

Good we are with you Ethopia 💖Djibouti💖eriteria 💖Somalia great horn power :)

[lamrof]

No mention of Egypt's unattainable share of the waters of Abbay going forward.
No mention of Ethiopia's population is actually higher than that of Egypt's
No mention of Ethiopia is landlocked and Egypt can do future desalination of sea water.
No mention of Ethiopia's dire poverty in most cases as a direct result of Egypt's actions.

[Woke]

Egypt cannot tell another country what it's best for that country.The Niles river do not belongs to Egypt.

[luvluv]

I am from Sudan I stand with Ethiopian

[peterrooke]

When the dams are full the rivers will flow again so what's the panic ? My only beef is why this wasn't done decades ago .

[ardayldrm]

I am being instigator but maybe 1 child policy could be solution? Almost 100 million people and growing. Egypt can not exist as it has been with or with out the dam.

[macabansa]

Water the new oil only more powerful, it's LIFE!

[asminemode]

well Ethiopia is landlocked Egypt is not

[aberakotisso]

This is MY Nile
And all the Ethiopian Nile dam

[kiparamobkama]

The water is belongs to Ethiopian if we want we can divert it