The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD): A Flashpoint for Transboundary Water Conflict
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: World Geography (Rivers - Nile, Blue Nile; Map Locations - Ethiopia, Egypt, Sudan); International Relations; Current events of international importance.
Mains:
General Studies Paper 1 (World Geography): Distribution of key natural resources across the world (water); Geographical features and their location.
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): India and its neighborhood- relations (by analogy to India's own transboundary water disputes); Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of other countries on India’s interests. The principles of transboundary water sharing are a key IR topic.
Key Highlights from the News
Ethiopia inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa's largest hydroelectric project.
This dam is built on the Blue Nile, a major tributary of the Nile River.
Egypt, a downstream country, strongly protested, alleging that the dam would reduce the flow of water in the Nile River and affect 97% of their water needs, calling it an existential threat.
Egypt filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council, stating that Ethiopia's unilateral measure violates international laws.
This incident raises concerns about how severe transboundary water disputes between countries can become, potentially leading to a water war.
COMMENTS