The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam - Likelihood of Cooperation or Conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan?

In this study, the existing challenges and prospect of the Ethio-Sudanese relations overthe hydropolitics of the Nile, particularly after the commencement of the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam ( GERD) project, were critically examined. In addition, an attempt was made to examine whether the common water resource of the Nile might lead the two countries into conflict in the future. Within qualitative methodology, case study research design was employed. Major theories of hydro-politics were also critically reviewed to explain current relations and to predict likely future scenarios. The analysis reveals that Egypt’s strong sphereof influence overthe region has been one of the existentialthreats to the Ethio-Sudanese relation. Besides, the implications of the two parallel international legal regimes overthe Nile water resource utilization during the colonial as well as the post-colonial periods have been existentialchallenges to the bilateral relations overthe Nile question. However, rewarding practical lessons that Sudan has learnt from Ethiopia’s previous projects on the Nile River, has recently been creating an opportunity for an improvement of international relations. Finally, critical analysis of existentialrelations of the two neighboring states overthe hydro-politics of the Nile also implies the recognition of cooperation overconflict as to the future prospect of their relationship. This is basically because of various forms of pragmatic hydro-diplomatic drives the two neighbors to settle existentialand emerging challenges overthe Nile water resource management.