Ethiopia says it won't delay second round of filling Nile dam

Ethiopia said it will not delay a planned second round water filling of its controversial hydroelectric dam project known as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Dr Sileshi Bekele, Ethiopia's Minister of Water, Irrigation and Energy, said the second round of water filling will be conducted next summer as scheduled.

The announcement was made during a water experts forum in Addis Ababa held to discuss the current progress of the dam, and the status of the tripartite negotiations and related developments.

Minister said the construction of the dam is almost 80 per cent complete.

His remark comes following Sudan's request for the inclusion of outside mediators, including the US, to the currently Africa Union (AU) brokered Nile dam talks.

During visits by Sudan and Egypt in recent weeks, senior officials of these two countries stressed a need for reaching an agreement before Ethiopia proceeds with the next round of dam filling planned for the upcoming rainy season.