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.

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.

PA