Ethiopian PM in Khartoum for talks with Sudanese leader

By Mohammed Amin

KHARTOUM (AA) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn arrived in Sudanese capital Khartoum on Tuesday to discuss a number of regional issues with President Omar al-Bashir.

The ongoing civil war in South Sudan and Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Renaissance Dam will top the agenda of talks between the two men, according to Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour.

Speaking to reporters upon Desalegn’s arrival, Ghandour said the two leaders planned to discuss “mutual security concerns related to the Horn of Africa region and means of maintaining regional peace and security, including the roles of IGAD [an East African trade bloc] and the ongoing conflict in South Sudan”.

“The strategic issue of Nile water sharing in general -- and the Renaissance Dam [now being built by Ethiopia] in particular -- will be addressed at the meeting,” he added.

“Both men are keen to maintain water security and fair water sharing throughout the entire Nile Basin region,” Ghandour said, adding: “The dam remains an important issue for both Sudan and Egypt.”

Construction of the massive hydroelectric dam is currently underway on Ethiopia’s Blue Nile River close to the Sudanese border.

Egypt, for its part, has voiced fears that the dam -- once completed -- will reduce its historical quota of Nile water.

In April, Khartoum and Addis Ababa signed a host of agreements aimed at boosting bilateral trade, including the export of electricity from Ethiopia to Sudan.