Sudanese – Congolese Talks Held, President of Congo Presents Initiative

The Sudanese side, headed by the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Gen. Abdul-Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Congolese side, chaired by the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Tshisekedi, Saturday held a session of joint talks on the ways to consolidate the bilateral relations between the two countries and regional developments of mutual concern.

The discussions were mainly focused on the issue of differences over the Renaissance Dam between the upstream country and downstream countries.

The session of joint talks was preceded by meetings between the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo with the President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Gen. Abdul-Fattah Al-Burhan, and the Prime Minister, Dr. Abdalla Hamdouk, which discussed the Renaissance Dam’s file.

The Foreign Minister, Dr. Mariam Al-Saddiq Al-Mahdi, said in a press statement that President Felix Tshisekedi, has presented an initiative on the issue of Renaissance Dam, on his capacity as the chairman of the current session of the African Union, indicating that this initiative is current under study by the concerned circles.

Dr. Mariam emphasized that Sudan firm and clear position on the issue of the Renaissance Dam is based on the rules of the International Law and on previous agreements between Sudan and Ethiopia, in addition to the declaration of principles that was signed between the leaders of the three countries in Khartoum in March 2015.

She stated that Sudan supports the Ethiopian right to enhance its capabilities, benefit from the waters of the Blue Nile and develop its resources, without prejudice to the rights of others, especially the rights of Sudan and Egypt.

She stressed importance of reaching a binding legal agreement, especially regarding the issue of the filling and operational stages, so that the parties can reap joint fruits of the dam’s project.

The Foreign Minister said that Sudan strongly rejects the unilateral steps, especially that has happened in the past year, a matter which negatively affected Sudan, adding that Sudan also refuses Ethiopia’s attempt to start the second filling of the dam, which is expected to begin next June.

She expressed Sudan belief that The Renaissance Dam project could be beneficial for the three countries and Africa if it is based on consensus, pointing out that this is what Sudan is striving for at the present time.