Resources: Merowe Dam, Sudan

The Merowe/Hamadab hydroelectric and irrigation Dam on the River Nile in Sudan, the largest hydro project in Africa, was completed in 2009. Its reservoir has displaced some 70,000 people, mainly from the Manasir ethnic group. The majority of those affected refused to move from their land alongside the Nile, even though their houses have been flooded. Those who did move to "resettlement" sites in the Nubian desert are now reliant on food aid, and their protests against conditions in the sites have been met with armed force.

1 result
The case of Merowe Dam
Nicholas Hildyard

30 April 2008

The Merowe/Hamadab Dam on the River Nile in Sudan, which was completed in 2009, is the largest hydroproject in Africa. The major contracts were awarded to three European companies: Lahmeyer International, Alstom and ABB. Implementation to date has been characterised by human rights abuses, forced resettlement, illegality and a failure to abide by international standards. The companies consistently failed to use their influence to halt the dam's implementation until issues surrounding its impacts were resolved.