The Role of the African Union in Resolution of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Dispute
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Date
2022-01
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Addis Ababa Unversity
Abstract
Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan are at loggerheads over the construction of Great Ethiopian Renaissance
Dam (GERD) since 2011. Following the repeated attempts to involve the U.S and the UN Security
Council, the concern has been handover to the African Union on account of finding ‘African Solutions
to African Problems’ (ASAP); however, the three riparian are unable to reconcile their positions till
this study finalised. This study therefore attempts to answer whether the AU’s legal and institutional
frameworks fit into the GERD dispute resolution process and what challenges exist in applying the
ASAP principle. The researcher conducted a semi-structured interview with Ministry of Foreign
Affair and Ministry of Water and Energy, and scholars of political science, international water law
and peace and security. The rejection of interview request on the part of African Union, Embassies of
Egypt and Sudan in Addis Ababa has; however, lessen the quality of balanced view.
Drawing on evidences from reviews of literatures, researches, and data from key informants, this
study concludes that the effectiveness of the African Union’s facilitation role is highly determined
through the commitment of the three riparian to reach in negotiated settlement. However, the
continuance of the on-going stalemate would make the attempt and role of the African Union fruitless
since the role taken by the Union does not allow to exerting any significant influence beyond
gathering the disputing parties unless the role is changed to some extent.