Construction of Ethiopia’s controversial Nile dam is complete and Egypt and Sudan, downstream nations that vigorously opposed it, are invited to its inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday.
Egypt and Sudan have opposed the hydroelectric $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam since construction began 14 years ago.
Egypt is concerned that the dam on the Blue Nile, the larger tributary, could reduce its share of the river's water which provides almost all of its freshwater needs. It has called the dam an existential threat, arguing that any drop in its water share will wipe out millions of farming jobs and ruin its delicate food balance.
Sudan is alarmed that any structural damage to the dam would leave large parts of the country underwater. It has also complained that Addis Ababa was not sharing data on the dam's operation.
The two countries, which have yet to comment on Mr Abiy's announcement, have engaged in years of fruitless negotiations with Ethiopia to reach a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the dam.
Their criticism of Addis Ababa over the dam has been toned down in the past two years. Sudan has been mired in a devastating civil war since April 2023, while Egypt has not felt any impact from the filling of the dam, thanks to plentiful rain on the Ethiopian highlands that have kept the Nile bountiful.
With the reservoir now filled to capacity, Egypt's main concern is how much water Addis Ababa will allow to flow downstream during severe drought.
"The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is now complete and we are preparing for its official inauguration," Mr Abiy wrote on X on Thursday.
"While there are those who believe it should be disrupted before that moment, we reaffirm our commitment: the dam will be inaugurated. To our neighbours downstream – Egypt and Sudan – our message is clear: the Renaissance Dam is not a threat but a shared opportunity."
Ethiopia has maintained that the dam does not pose a threat to anyone and is vital for its own development. It has said electricity generated by the dam would be available to neighbouring nations, including Sudan.
The dam, which stands near the Sudan border, began producing power in 2022 and is expected ultimately to create more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity – double Ethiopia’s current output and enough to make the East African nation of 120 million people a net energy exporter.
Mr Abiy said the dam was a symbol of regional co-operation and mutual benefit. "Ethiopia remains committed to ensuring that our growth does not come at the expense of our Egyptian and Sudanese brothers and sisters," he said.
"Ethiopia remains ready and willing to engage constructively with downstream countries. We extend an open invitation to the governments and peoples of Egypt, Sudan and all Nile Basin nations to join us in celebrating this historic milestone – Ethiopia’s Renaissance – in September."
The%20specs
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
War 2
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, NTR, Kiara Advani, Ashutosh Rana
Rating: 2/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How the bonus system works
The two riders are among several riders in the UAE to receive the top payment of £10,000 under the Thank You Fund of £16 million (Dh80m), which was announced in conjunction with Deliveroo's £8 billion (Dh40bn) stock market listing earlier this year.
The £10,000 (Dh50,000) payment is made to those riders who have completed the highest number of orders in each market.
There are also riders who will receive payments of £1,000 (Dh5,000) and £500 (Dh2,500).
All riders who have worked with Deliveroo for at least one year and completed 2,000 orders will receive £200 (Dh1,000), the company said when it announced the scheme.
RESULTS
6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1.600m
Winner: Miller’s House, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Kanood, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.
7.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Gervais, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
8.15pm: The Garhoud Sprint Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Important Mission, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.50pm: The Entisar Listed (TB) Dh 132,500 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
The%20specs
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Wenger's Arsenal reign in numbers
1,228 - games at the helm, ahead of Sunday's Premier League fixture against West Ham United.
704 - wins to date as Arsenal manager.
3 - Premier League title wins, the last during an unbeaten Invincibles campaign of 2003/04.
1,549 - goals scored in Premier League matches by Wenger's teams.
10 - major trophies won.
473 - Premier League victories.
7 - FA Cup triumphs, with three of those having come the last four seasons.
151 - Premier League losses.
21 - full seasons in charge.
49 - games unbeaten in the Premier League from May 2003 to October 2004.
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
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