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Ethiopia Fuels Regional Tensions with Next Phase of Blue Nile River Mega-Dam

Salem Solomon

   WASHINGTON - After Ethiopia acknowledged this week it has begun to fill
   the reservoir at its massive dam on the Blue Nile River, observers
   worry that neighboring countries may feel they are running out of
   options to respond to a long-planned energy project that could endanger
   their access to fresh water.

   Mirette Mabrouk, a senior fellow and director of the Middle East
   Institute's Egypt Studies Program, told VOA that news about the Grand
   Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) being filled could ratchet up tensions
   between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia.

   She believes military aggression is "option Z" in a long list of
   strategic moves, but remains possible.

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