A dam is increasing tensions between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan. There are fears that filling the dam across the Blue Nile in Ethiopia could lead to war. Ethiopia needs the dam to supply electricity to its rural areas. It will be Africa's largest hydroelectric dam. Egypt says the dam is an "existential threat". It worries the dam will reduce its water supplies. Most of Egypt's water comes from the Nile. This is important when there is a drought.
The Blue Nile originates in natural springs in Ethiopia. It merges with the White Nile near Khartoum in Sudan and becomes the River Nile. Ethiopia calls the dam an "existential necessity". Nearly half the country's population has no electricity. Egypt said it could share electricity with Ethiopia instead of using the dam. A politician said: "One nation's need for electricity is pinned to another nation's need for water."