China backs African Union effort to resolve Ethiopian mega-dam dispute
- In rare show of unity, UN Security Council members agree to not take the lead in mediation efforts between Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia
- Members can still offer management help, incentives or sanctions to encourage parties to reach a deal, analyst says
China has backed an Africa-led mediation process to resolve a dispute between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt over the operation of a massive hydropower dam on the Blue Nile.
China’s envoy to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said Beijing supported efforts for the three countries to reach a deal through dialogue and consultation on the operation of the project.
The Blue Nile begins in Ethiopia and is an essential source of water for all three countries.
Ethiopia started building the mega dam in 2011, raising fears that it would lower water levels downstream in Egypt and Sudan.
Egypt and Sudan want Ethiopia to sign legal guarantees that a minimum volume of water will be released downstream to prevent drought. Ethiopia has rejected any intervention from the Security Council.