An international quartet to mediate stalled negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) could soon be established after Sudan made a formal request to the African Union, European Union, United Nations, and United States to play a role in mediating an agreement on the dam’s filing and operation, Sudan Tribune reports, citing an unnamed senior official. The initial proposal to set up an international quartet — which Addis Ababa opposed on the grounds that it would undermine the AU’s efforts to resolve the impasse— came after talks have been floundering since last year after Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan were unable to reach a binding agreement on the GERD.

Meanwhile, Egypt appears to continue rallying African support for its position on the GERD talks: Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel Aty met with his South Sudanese counterpart Manawa Peter for talks on cooperating in water-related issues, according to a cabinet statement, which we assume includes GERD.

Libya has sworn in its first unity government since it collapsed into civil war seven years ago: The breakthrough comes following successful UN-brokered talks between political rivals in the east and west of the country. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, chosen by UN delegates last month, will head a new cabinet to transition the North African country into parliamentary and presidential elections in December.

WHO’S TALKING- Regional developments and Egypt’s ties with Guinea-Conakry were on the agenda for foreign ministers Sameh Shoukry and Ibrahim Kaba, who met in Cairo yesterday, according to a cabinet statement.