The Sudanese conflict, bilateral relations, and Ethiopia's Blue Nile (also known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam) were discussed by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday, according to the Egyptian presidency.
Sisi welcomed Ahmed to the presidential palace in Cairo, the presidency stated.
The two leaders "discussed ways to settle the crisis in Sudan," the Egyptian president's spokesman stated prior to a wider regional conference on the Sudanese conflict, which is scheduled for July 13.
Another topic for discussion between the politicians was the Ethiopia's hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile (one of the two major tributaries of the Nile river) located not far from the border with Sudan.
Ethiopia has undertaken the ambitious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam project on the Blue Nile, a significant waterway in the region, since 2011. The dam's main objective is to generate electricity in order to alleviate Ethiopia's energy shortage and to export electricity to nearby nations.
The dam started generating energy on February 20, 2022, sending 375 MW to the grid. In August 2022, a second 375 MW turbine was put into service.
However, downstream countries Sudan and Egypt have voiced concerns, expressing apprehensions about potential water shortages resulting from the dam's operation.
In an effort to address these concerns, the three countries have engaged in numerous meetings to negotiate water distribution arrangements. Despite these discussions, disagreements persist.
Egypt, a country with minimal rainfall, relies on the Nile River for over 90 percent of its fresh water supply, according to reports. The river plays a vital role in supporting Egypt's economic well-being, as well as ensuring water and food security for the nation. Similarly, eastern Sudan also depends on the Nile.
On July 13, Egypt is hosting a conference of Sudan's neighboring countries to discuss the issue of putting an end to the 12-week armed clashes between opposing groups of the Sudanese military that have sparked a serious humanitarian catastrophe in the region.
Apart from Sudan's neighbors, the summit is bringing together different military and civic groups from Sudan.
Earlier this week, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), a regional economic group of the African Union, urged that the conflicting parties should consider the deployment of regional troops, as well as fresh peace talks.
According to the IGAD's July 10 statement, the group has decided to ask the East Africa Standby Force (EASF) to meet in order to discuss the deployment of armed personnel in Sudan in order to protect people and ensure humanitarian access.
Sudan, a participant in both IGAD and EASF, was only represented at the meeting by the RSF, as the Sudanese government declined to send an army representative, blaming Kenyan President William Ruto, who chaired the meeting, for "lacking impartiality in the ongoing crisis."