Egypt raises ’extreme concern’ about Nile dam with Ethiopia
The president of Egypt has expressed his "extreme concern" over the lack of progress in talks over the construction of a massive Nile dam in Ethiopia during a meeting with that country’s visiting prime minister.
Egypt fears the dam, which is about 60% complete, will significantly reduce its vital share of the Nile’s waters.
Ethiopia has downplayed those fears and said it needs the dam for its own economic development.
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi emerged from a meeting in Cairo on Thursday with Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn, saying co-operation between Nile basin countries should not be a zero-sum game.
Mr el-Sissi says Ethiopia has rejected an Egyptian proposal for World Bank experts to mediate in the dispute.
Egypt depends on the Nile for almost all of its water needs.
