Egypt, Ethiopia agree to settle differences over Nile mega-dam

Egypt's president said both countries are working to achieve a final agreement over the Renaissance Dam that "secures" Egypt's fair share of Nile waters and helps Ethiopia's development.

At a press conferee in Cairo during a two-day summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi signalled they had made a breakthrough on talks, which have produced no satisfactory results since November previous year. The dam is expected to be Africa's largest dam that will produce around 6,000 megawatts of electricity for Ethiopia. The construction of the dam is now being built on the main tributary to Nile River of Egypt without harming any party.

Translation: "By his weak imagination power, Sisi thought that by making the Ethiopian PM swear he is saving Egypt's historic right in Nile waters, the Ethiopian PM will stick to his swear".

At the news conference, Sisi asked Ahmed to swear to God before the Egyptian people that he will not hurt Egypt's share of the Nile.

Ethiopia's prime minister has sworn not to "harm" Egypt's share of the Nile, breaking the deadlock in talks over control of Africa's longest river.

Cairo worries that the dam's reservoir could lead to a reduction in the freshwater flow of the Nile in its territory.

Construction workers are seen in a section of Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam, as it undergoes construction, during a media tour along the river Nile in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Guba Woreda, in Ethiopia, March 31, 2015.

"I believe the visit is exploratory and it is meant to ensure previous understandings and create new ones", the expert added, noting that Ethiopia has already completed 65 percent of the dam construction. They also confirmed that leaders from the three nations will meet every six months for consultations.

The two sides pledged to set up an infrastructure investment fund that would benefit all three countries' development.

But while engaging the Ethiopian government on the matter throughout the year, President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi has denied that his country would pursue a military option.