UN chief urges settlement to GERD dispute: UN Secretary-General António Guterres has urged Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to resume negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam towards “an amicable agreement in accordance with the spirit” of the 2015 Declaration of Principles. Ethiopia has reiterated in recent days its determination to begin filling the dam in July, despite failing to secure an agreement on its long-term operation during US-backed talks earlier this year.

Egypt and Sudan are trying to restart the talks: Sudanese prime minister Abdullah Hamdok will launch a last-ditch diplomatic effort to persuade the Ethiopian government to return to the negotiating table following a meeting with Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly yesterday. Ethiopia refused to sign onto an agreement brokered by the US and the World Bank earlier this year, and has so far turned a deaf ear to pleas for it to reengage in negotiations.