Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said any failure by Ethiopia to adhere to a commitment on not filling its disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would represent an attempt to impose an unacceptable reality. In a speech addressed to the UN Security Council to discuss the decade-long deadlocked negotiations between Egypt and Ethiopia, Shoukry said any future talks would be ‘senseless efforts' if Addis Ababa proceeds with a plan on the filling in 1 July. He said that a ‘unilateral' filing and operation of the dam without an accord would “heighten tensions”, adding that the UNSC is expected to avert an outbreak of conflict in the fragile region. Shoukry added that the UNSC should encourage the three countries to negotiation in good faith on GERD, stressing Cairo's trust that the UNSC will act with “diligence and vigor” to avoid unilateralism. More to follow
