Etiopia-Egitto: la diga della discordia

Summary

The video discusses the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile, its potential to transform Ethiopia’s energy sector, and the tensions it has sparked with Egypt. While the dam could generate significant energy and provide electricity to millions, Egypt fears that the dam's filling process will reduce its water supply, threatening agriculture and power generation. The conflict is rooted in historical treaties, with Ethiopia challenging Egypt's claim to the Nile, and the situation remains unresolved as the dam nears completion, potentially escalating tensions diplomatically or militarily.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is located on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia and, once completed, will be Africa's largest dam.
• 😀 The dam will cover an area of 1,700 square kilometers and generate 5,000 MW of electricity, doubling Ethiopia's current capacity.
• 😀 The dam's completion will provide electricity to 78 million Ethiopians who currently lack access and allow for the export of a third of its electricity to neighboring countries.
• 😀 The main challenge is filling the reservoir, which holds 75 billion cubic meters of water, nearly equal to the Nile's total annual flow of 85 billion cubic meters.
• 😀 Egypt fears the dam will limit the water flow to the Nile, negatively impacting its agriculture and electricity production from its own dams.
• 😀 Ethiopia plans to fill the reservoir in 7 years, while Egypt demands a longer period of 12 years to mitigate its concerns.
• 😀 The disagreement is rooted in historical disputes over control of the Nile River, with Egypt claiming a historical right to the river dating back to a 1929 treaty with Britain.
• 😀 The 1929 treaty gave Egypt veto power over Nile projects but was not signed by Ethiopia, meaning Ethiopia does not recognize its terms.
• 😀 Other agreements have attempted to resolve the issue, but Egypt rejected a 2010 proposal to remove its veto power, maintaining its position on the Nile's control.
• 😀 As of now, construction is 90% complete, and three phases of filling have begun, producing 750 MW of power, with the dam still under significant dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt.

Q & A

What is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)?

The GERD is a large dam under construction in Ethiopia, located on the Blue Nile. Once completed, it will be Africa's largest dam, with a total capacity of 5000 MW of energy, significantly enhancing Ethiopia's power supply and allowing it to export electricity.

How will the GERD impact Ethiopia's energy sector?

The GERD will double Ethiopia's current energy capacity and provide electricity to 78 million Ethiopians who currently lack reliable access. Additionally, it will enable Ethiopia to export one-third of its electricity to neighboring countries.

What are Egypt's concerns regarding the GERD?

Egypt is concerned that the filling of the GERD’s reservoir will reduce the flow of water to the Nile, which is vital for Egypt's agriculture and electricity production. They fear that reduced water flow will lead to economic damage, including lower crop yields and less power generation.

How much water will the GERD reservoir hold, and how does this compare to the Nile’s flow?

The GERD's reservoir will hold 75 billion cubic meters of water, which is nearly equal to the total estimated flow of the Blue Nile at 85 billion cubic meters per year.

What is the timeline disagreement between Ethiopia and Egypt regarding the filling of the GERD's reservoir?

Ethiopia wants to fill the reservoir within 7 years, while Egypt insists that it should take at least 12 years to prevent significant impacts on its water supply.

Why did Ethiopia start building the GERD in 2011?

Ethiopia began construction on the GERD in 2011, taking advantage of Egypt's distraction due to the Arab Spring, which led to a lack of Egyptian attention to the dam's construction.

What is the historical background of Egypt's claim to the Nile?

Egypt's claim to the Nile is based on a 1929 treaty with the UK, which granted Egypt veto power over projects on the Nile. However, Ethiopia and other upstream countries were not part of this agreement and do not recognize Egypt's exclusive rights.

What have been the diplomatic efforts to resolve the GERD conflict?

Various attempts have been made to resolve the dispute diplomatically, including a 2010 agreement where six of the 11 Nile basin countries proposed removing Egypt's veto power. However, Egypt rejected this, and no binding agreements have been reached since then.

How much progress has been made in the construction of the GERD?

The construction of the GERD is about 90% complete, and there have already been three phases of reservoir filling, allowing the dam to generate 750 MW of electricity, which is 15% of its full capacity.

What is the future of the GERD dispute if no agreement is reached?

If no agreement is reached, the dispute could escalate, with the potential for diplomatic or even military conflict. The absence of an internationally binding agreement means that the situation may continue to be shaped by power dynamics and negotiations between the countries involved.