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Today marks exactly 10 years since Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia signed the historic Declaration of Principles (DoP) on the Renaissance Dam. Yet, despite clear, documented support from Sudan, misinformation continues to thrive, primarily from Egyptian sources. Let’s uncover the reality behind Sudan’s stance with clarity, numbers, and history:
Back in December 2013, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir openly declared Sudan’s unwavering support for Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam. Fast forward to 2021, Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok reaffirmed this support, even announcing Sudan’s plans to undertake new enhancements to the dam at Roseires, leveraging the consistent flow promised by GERD.
Why, then, are the Egyptians repeatedly misled into believing Sudan opposes GERD?
Because acknowledging Sudan’s support shatters Egypt’s narrative that it’s not alone in opposition. Here are the undisputed facts:
Sudan’s Substantial Benefits from GERD:
- Stable and Consistent Blue Nile Flow: GERD will regulate the Blue Nile’s flow, significantly benefiting Sudanese agriculture. Experts estimate Sudan can expand irrigation, increasing agricultural productivity through multiple harvest cycles per year.
- Protection Against Floods: Remember the devastating 2020 floods in Sudan? GERD will regulate those unpredictable, destructive flows, providing critical flood protection to millions of Sudanese.
- Freedom from the 1959 Agreement: GERD practically nullifies the restrictive 1959 Nile water-sharing agreement, empowering Sudan to independently construct additional dams without Egyptian interference.
- Water Recovery: Sudan previously lost roughly 6 billion cubic meters of water annually, which flowed unused into Egypt. With GERD, Sudan can reclaim and effectively use this water, revolutionizing its agricultural and energy sectors.
Sudan’s Tangible Contributions to GERD:
Under President al-Bashir (1989–2019), Sudan didn’t just verbally support GERD—it backed words with actions. In 2011, Sudan donated over $10 million worth of heavy construction equipment, including bulldozers, excavators, and drilling machinery, directly aiding Ethiopia’s dam-building efforts.
Strategic Collaboration:
Sudan integrated its energy infrastructure with Ethiopia as early as 2014, benefiting from affordable electricity. Al-Bashir’s government even secured commitments for 200 MW of free power from Ethiopian dams, significantly enhancing Sudan’s energy capacity.
Geopolitical Realignment:
GERD’s emergence shifted Nile basin alliances. Sudan openly aligned with Ethiopia, distancing itself from Egypt’s traditionally dominant influence. This strategic pivot isolated Egypt, weakening Cairo’s longstanding grip on Nile politics.
Clarifying Sudan’s Brief Alignment with Egypt (2021):
Although Sudan has consistently supported GERD, transparency demands acknowledging the brief period in 2021 when Sudan’s transitional government, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, temporarily aligned politically with Egypt at the UN Security Council, calling for a legally binding agreement on GERD’s operations. This temporary alignment primarily resulted from internal political pressures, Egypt’s diplomatic maneuvers, and transitional instability after al-Bashir’s removal.
Yet, even during this period, Sudan never outright opposed GERD’s construction, instead advocating for binding operational guidelines—something Ethiopia consistently agreed upon through diplomatic dialogue.
Debunking the “Collapse Myth”:
Despite sensational claims predominantly from Egyptian media, credible international studies and the International Panel of Experts have repeatedly confirmed GERD’s safety and structural integrity. Sudanese experts themselves dismiss collapse fears as unfounded propaganda.
The Truth in the Declaration of Principles (2015):
The DoP explicitly outlines mutual understanding:
- Egypt and Sudan acknowledged GERD’s developmental goals and agreed on equitable Nile water use.
- Both countries agreed to prioritize purchasing electricity from GERD.
- Egypt and Sudan praised Ethiopia’s compliance with international safety standards.
- They accepted Ethiopia’s sovereign right to manage dam operations, committing to diplomatic conflict resolution if disputes arise.
A decade later, the evidence is clear:
Despite a brief, politically motivated alignment with Egypt in 2021, Sudan’s foundational support for GERD remains robust, well-documented, and indisputable. GERD is not merely Ethiopia’s dam—it’s a regional catalyst benefiting Sudan immensely.
