Sudan and Egypt Agree to Renovate Jebel Aulia Dam Within 16 Months

Khartoum – Sudanhorizon
The Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation announced on Saturday an agreement with its Egyptian counterpart to rehabilitate the Jebel Aulia Dam, south of the capital Khartoum, within 16 months. The rehabilitation will begin with the construction of a temporary bridge.
The Jebel Aulia Dam bridge was bombed by the Rapid Support Forces militia in November 2023, resulting in its destruction.
The technical committee tasked with assessing the structural condition of the Jebel Aulia Dam and its rehabilitation, formed by the Permanent Joint Technical Commission for Nile Waters between Khartoum and Cairo, held meetings with the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
In a statement, the ministry said that the meetings concluded with “expectations to construct a temporary bridge within four months of the start of the Jebel Aulia Dam rehabilitation project to facilitate traffic flow, while rehabilitation works to be completed within 16 months.”
It indicated that the meetings discussed the outcomes of the field visits conducted by the technical delegation, including the work plan for the next phase. This plan encompasses consultancy work, defining technical specifications and work points, and preparing bills of quantities necessary for the rehabilitation of the Jebel Aulia Dam.
The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, Daw Al-Bait Abdel Rahman, called for expediting the rehabilitation work on the dam, which was damaged during the war. The Rapid Support Forces militia used it as a crossing point for heavy machinery and operated it recklessly.
He emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing the damage inflicted on the facility, particularly concerning the lock and the mobile bridge.
For its part, the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation stated that its Minister, Hani Sweilem, received a report on the findings of the Egyptian technical delegation’s visit to assess the structural condition of the Jebel Aulia Dam and discuss the procedures required for its rehabilitation.
It stated that the delegation conducted joint field inspections of the dam’s components and associated facilities to assess the damage and prioritize interventions, particularly in facilities affecting the dam’s safe operation. They also held a series of meetings with specialists from the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation.
The ministry added that the report addressed the proposed technical plan for the next phase, which includes identifying urgent maintenance work, paving the way for a comprehensive rehabilitation program that draws on the expertise of both countries.
Sweilem directed the continuation of technical coordination with the Sudanese side and the swift identification of implementation needs based on clear priorities.
He announced Egypt’s readiness to provide the necessary technical support and expertise within the framework of the historical relations between the two countries and the role of the Permanent Joint Technical Commission for Nile Waters in supporting cooperation and coordination on water infrastructure of mutual interest.

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