Merowe Dam: financing, displacement and environmental assessments
- The same review described up to 130 million tons of sediment deposited a year and storage capacity reduced by 34% within 50 years; by 2020 the dam had lost 1.7% of its holding capacity to silt and debris, according to AidData. International Rivers
- Fish migration on my river was blocked and spawning areas destroyed, the review stated. International Rivers
- The review wrote that stagnant water and exposure of a large area of my river bed "can create perfect breeding conditions for mosquitoes". International Rivers
- At least 30 villages along my banks were submerged within about a month after the floodgates closed on 26 July 2008, according to a University of East Anglia manuscript. University of East Anglia
- A typical Manasir family farm on my banks of 9.5 feddans held 26 mature palms producing about 900 kg a year, the same manuscript stated, citing a 1999 study. University of East Anglia
- Over 50,000 people were displaced or listed for relocation.Residents' estimate in the UEA manuscript; about 20,000 live in resettlement villages.
- 60,000 people were displaced or listed for relocation.AidData figure.
- Some 70,000 people were displaced or listed for relocation.The Corner House, mainly Manasir.
The Merowe Dam on the Nile in Sudan, financed by a USD 608 million China Eximbank loan and Arab funds, flooded the homelands of the Manasir, Amri and Hamadab communities; estimates of the number displaced range from over 50,000 to about 70,000. A German criminal investigation into two managers of Lahmeyer International was closed in April 2016 without charges.
Fixed interest of 3.5%, 20-year maturity and 6.5-year grace period (AidData). Sources give different totals for the project cost.
Status As of January 2025 (latest dated source): the Sudanese army reported a drone strike on the dam and power station; the German investigation was closed in April 2016 without charges; no total compensation amount is on record.
- Contractors and equipment suppliers — Named by AidData as CWE, Sinohydro, Harbin and Alstom, and by The Corner House as Lahmeyer, Alstom and ABB AidData
- Manasir, Amri and Hamadab communities — Displaced by the reservoir; a minority of the Manasir who chose the "local option" received monetary compensation for trees and none received new homes or services (UEA manuscript) University of East Anglia
- The Nile at the 4th Cataract — Daily downstream water-level swings of 4–5 m, blocked fish migration and sediment deposition (EAWAG review via International Rivers) International Rivers
- Riverside date-palm agriculture — At least 30 villages submerged within about a month of the floodgates closing University of East Anglia
What happened
The Merowe Dam on the Nile at the 4th Cataract, in Northern State, was financed by a China Eximbank loan of USD 608 million committed on 23 December 2003, according to AidData. AidData lists co-financiers: the Arab Fund (USD 250 million), the Kuwait Fund (USD 150 million), the Abu Dhabi Fund (USD 150 million), the Saudi Fund (USD 200 million), Qatar (USD 15 million), Oman (USD 106 million) and the Government of Sudan (USD 575 million). A University of East Anglia (UEA) manuscript, citing the Sudanese Dams Implementation Unit (DIU), gives Chinese funding of USD 608 million and Sudanese government funding of close to USD 1.1 billion, with a total of about USD 3 billion that "may be closer to $5 billion". AidData names the contractors CWE, Sinohydro, Harbin and Alstom; The Corner House names Lahmeyer (Germany), Alstom (France) and ABB (Switzerland) for equipment and management.
Lahmeyer International carried out the environmental impact assessment in April 2002. An independent review by EAWAG, published on 22 March 2006, stated that key issues "were not addressed adequately". As summarised by International Rivers, the review described daily downstream water-level swings of 4–5 m, a reservoir surface varying between 350 and 800 km² a year, up to 130 million tons of sediment deposited a year, storage capacity reduced by 34% within 50 years, and fish migration blocked and spawning areas destroyed. AidData reported that the dam had lost 1.7% of its holding capacity by 2020 because of silt and debris.
The Hamdab and Amri communities were displaced from the construction site in 2003. The floodgates were closed on 26 July 2008, and at least 30 villages were submerged within about a month, according to the UEA manuscript, which says the flooded area was home to "over 60,000 people from Manasir communities, and to 10-15,000 people from Amri and Hamdab communities". It reports that residents estimate "over 50,000 people were displaced by the dam", about 20,000 of whom live in resettlement villages, and that roughly two-thirds of the Manasir resisted resettlement and live along the reservoir shoreline. The Corner House gives "some 70,000 people, mainly from the Manasir ethnic group", and ECCHR gives 4,700 families. AidData reported that five people from a displaced community were killed in a confrontation with authorities in April 2006.
According to the UEA manuscript, the compensation package was based on a DIU census of 1999: "Each productive palm tree, for example, was valued at 50,000 Sudanese Dinars (roughly US$90 in 2014)." The DIU promised a house per house owner, 6 feddans per family, 3 feddans per feddan lost and two years of free services; houses built between the 1999 census and the filling of the reservoir "were not eligible for compensation". Of the Manasir who chose the "local option", "only a minority were provided monetary compensation (for the loss of their trees), and none were provided new homes, services". In January 2015 a court decision "to deny any compensation to the affected" (court not named) was followed by protests, and at least seven protesters were arrested, Radio Tamazuj reported. No source gives a total compensation amount.
A criminal complaint was filed in May 2010, with ECCHR support, with the public prosecutor in Frankfurt am Main against two Lahmeyer International managers over the flooding of more than 30 villages and the displacement of 4,700 families. An investigation opened in April 2011 and was closed in late April 2016 because, in ECCHR's account, "no intent could be established on the part of the suspects"; the prosecutor found that the company had no legal duty to confirm resettlement before flooding, and no charges were brought. Lahmeyer said, according to ECCHR, that "it was the Sudanese government's job to organize the resettlement". On 13 January 2025 the dam and its power station were hit by drones; the Sudanese army said the dam was hit by "a number of suicide drones" as part of a "systematic campaign" and attributed it to paramilitaries.
- 2002Apr: Lahmeyer International environmental impact assessment
- 200323 Dec: China Eximbank loan committed; Hamdab and Amri communities displaced from the construction site
- 200622 Mar: EAWAG review of the assessment published; Apr: five people from a displaced community killed in a confrontation with authorities (AidData)
- 2008Apr: power plant operational; 26 Jul: floodgates closed, at least 30 villages submerged within about a month
- 2009Completion, according to The Corner House
- 2010May: criminal complaint filed in Germany with ECCHR support
- 2011Apr: Frankfurt investigation opened
- 2013Complaint to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights by LOHAP and EIPR
- 2015Jan: court decision denying compensation; protesters arrested
- 2016Late Apr: Frankfurt investigation closed; no charges
- 202513 Jan: drone strike on the dam and power station
What was said
“it was the Sudanese government's job to organize the resettlement.”
“no intent could be established on the part of the suspects”
“were not addressed adequately”
“The companies that are developing the project should suspend construction”
“Each productive palm tree, for example, was valued at 50,000 Sudanese Dinars (roughly US$90 in 2014).”
“without such pressure, the government will continue to ignore our demands”
“a number of suicide drones”
“Some losses were incurred, which will be repaired.”
“In January 2025, the RSF attacked a transformer station at the Merowe Dam”
Where accounts differ
Each party's account, side by side, with its source. The record does not settle these points; it shows them.
Said, according to ECCHR, that "it was the Sudanese government's job to organize the resettlement".
ECCHRFound that the company had no legal duty to confirm resettlement before flooding, and closed the investigation in April 2016 because "no intent could be established on the part of the suspects".
ECCHRFiled a complaint in May 2010 over the flooding of more than 30 villages and the displacement of 4,700 families.
ECCHRDescribed the project's implementation as marked by human rights abuses and forced resettlement.
The Corner HouseA January 2015 decision "to deny any compensation to the affected", according to Radio Tamazuj.
Radio TamazujDecided to deny compensation for losses from about seven years earlier, according to Radio Dabanga in 2015.
Radio DabangaDescribed a package of a house per house owner, 6 feddans per family and 3 feddans per feddan lost, and the participation of committees.
University of East AngliaSaid "without such pressure, the government will continue to ignore our demands" and that protests will continue until their demands for justice are fulfilled.
Radio DabangaSaid the dam and power station were hit by "a number of suicide drones" and attributed it to paramilitaries.
The Defense PostDid not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.
The Defense PostWrote: "In January 2025, the RSF attacked a transformer station at the Merowe Dam".
Conflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS)How it looked
Shown
- It was the Sudanese government's job to organize the resettlement.Lahmeyer International, as recorded by ECCHR · ECCHR
- The package, committees and participation of the displaced were described on DIU web pages (2007), summarised by the UEA authors, who state that no government authorities were interviewed.Dams Implementation Unit, via the UEA manuscript · University of East Anglia
Recorded
- AidData lists a China Eximbank loan of USD 608 million, committed 23 December 2003, and co-financiers: Arab Fund USD 250 million ("possibly an additional $211 million"), Kuwait Fund USD 150 million ("possibly an additional $50 million"), Abu Dhabi Fund USD 150 million, Saudi Fund USD 200 million, Qatar USD 15 million, Oman USD 106 million and the Government of Sudan USD 575 million.
- AidData staff notes list Chinese-funded resettlement agriculture schemes of USD 37.7 million (Kehaila East and El Makabra) and USD 110.7 million (New Amri).
- The UEA manuscript states that the DIU was created under presidential mandate and was exempt from routine civil-service, accountability and fiscal laws until 2014.
- Compensation package (UEA manuscript): a house per house owner, 6 feddans per family, 3 feddans per feddan lost, two years of free services; houses built between the 1999 census and the filling of the reservoir not eligible.
- In 2015 Radio Dabanga reported "a government committee's decision to deny compensation" for losses from about seven years earlier.
- The UEA manuscript records a lawsuit by the Manasir Executive Committee after seven members were arrested in 2007; they were released without charge.
- The Frankfurt investigation was opened in April 2011 and closed in late April 2016; no charges were brought.
- AidData: the dam lost 1.7% of its holding capacity by 2020 because of silt and debris.
- International Rivers calculated, separately from the EAWAG review, that the project would emit roughly the same greenhouse gases as a gas plant of equal output.
Who gained
Reached nature or the ground
Gained elsewhere
Responses on record
- Lahmeyer International: Said, according to ECCHR, that it was the Sudanese government's job to organize the resettlement. · ECCHR
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) (2025-01-13): Said the dam and its power station were hit by "a number of suicide drones" as part of a "systematic campaign", that "Some losses were incurred, which will be repaired", and attributed it to paramilitaries. · The Defense Post
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (2025-01-13): Did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment. · The Defense Post
In court and with insurers
Lawsuits and rulings
- 2010–2016DismissedCriminal complaint against two Lahmeyer International managers (displacement at the Merowe Dam)Public prosecutor, Frankfurt am Main · Criminal · Complainants supported by ECCHR → Two Lahmeyer International managers (not named in the source)
Complaint filed in May 2010 over the flooding of more than 30 villages and the displacement of 4,700 families. Investigation opened in April 2011 and closed in late April 2016 because "no intent could be established on the part of the suspects"; the prosecutor found that the company had no legal duty to confirm resettlement before flooding. No charges were brought. ECCHR
- 2013–Outcome not on recordComplaint to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' RightsAfrican Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights · International court · LOHAP with EIPR, for the displaced communities → Not named in the source
Complaint filed in 2013 by LOHAP with EIPR; the UEA manuscript does not give an outcome. University of East Anglia
- 2015Defendant wonDecision denying compensation to those affected by the damSudanese court (not named in the source) · Civil · Displaced residents → Not named in the source
In January 2015 a court decision "to deny any compensation to the affected" was followed by protests; at least seven protesters were arrested, and nine alleged leaders were arrested the following night (Radio Tamazuj). Radio Tamazuj
- Outcome not on recordLawsuit by the Manasir Executive CommitteeSudanese court (not named in the source) · Civil · Manasir Executive Committee → Not named in the source
The UEA manuscript records a lawsuit by the Committee after seven of its members were arrested in 2007; they were released without charge. University of East Anglia
Insurers
What nature saw
Nature's report opens this page. Below: further outcomes measured on the ground.
What we don't know
Court
Accounts
- Disputed Responsibility for the resettlement of the displaced communities
- Disputed Compensation for the displaced
- Disputed The January 2025 drone strike on the dam
- None on record Rapid Support Forces: Did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.
Record
- Disputed Figures differ: displaced people are given as over 50,000 (residents' estimate in the UEA manuscript; Radio Dabanga; Radio Tamazuj), 60,000 (AidData), about 70,000 (The Corner House) and 4,700 families (ECCHR).
- Disputed Figures differ: Sudanese government funding is given as USD 575 million (AidData) and close to USD 1.1 billion (UEA manuscript, citing the DIU), and the total cost as about USD 3 billion that "may be closer to $5 billion" (UEA manuscript).
- None on record None on record: a total compensation amount paid; no compensation totals appear in the sources.
- Insufficient Insufficient: the position of the DIU and the Government of Sudan is known only through a UEA summary of DIU web pages from 2007; the UEA authors state that "no government authorities were interviewed".
- None on record None on record: the outcome of the 2013 complaint to the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights.
- None on record None on record: measured post-2009 river ecology data on fish or sediment downstream of the dam.
- Insufficient Insufficient: the EAWAG review stated that key issues "were not addressed adequately" in the environmental assessment.
- None on record None on record: insurance.
Did the harm stop?
None on record.
Who paid?
None on record. No total compensation amount is given in any source.
Sources
Press and investigations
- Sudanese displaced by Merowe Dam demand compensationRadio Dabanga · 2015-02-05
- Sudan: court ruling angers those displaced by River Nile damRadio Tamazuj · 2015-01-17
- Power outages in Sudan after drone attack on major dam (AFP)The Defense Post · 2025-01-13
Communities and civil society
- Merowe Dam, SudanThe Corner House ·
- Independent Review Reveals Serious Flaws in Sudan's Merowe Dam (via River Resource Hub)International Rivers · 2006-03-22
- The environmental costs of the war in SudanConflict and Environment Observatory (CEOBS) · 2025-05-21
Researchers
- A 'justice' reading of the trans-national struggle of the people displaced by the Merowe Dam (accepted manuscript, Local Environment)University of East Anglia · 2017-03-20
Connected cases
- Sudan gold: mercury and cyanide in mining, and the wartime gold trade Sudan · 2008–2026 Related matter
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) (Government) — here: Reported the January 2025 drone strike; there: Party to the war; Zadna described by the US Treasury as SAF-affiliated
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (Government) — here: Named by CEOBS as attacking a transformer station at the dam in January 2025; there: Party to the war; designated gold-linked companies are described by the US Treasury as RSF-affiliated
- World Bank-backed dams displaced people, and reviews found incomes often not restored Global · 1985–2018 Related matter
- Al-Jaili refinery fires and wartime damage in Khartoum, 2023–2025 Sudan · 2023–2025
- Government of Sudan (Government) — here: Co-financier and dam owner; there: Co-owner of the refinery
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) (Government) — here: Reported the January 2025 drone strike; there: Party to the war; attributes the January 2025 fire to the RSF
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (Government) — here: Named by CEOBS as attacking a transformer station at the dam in January 2025; there: Party to the war; controlled the site from April 2023 per Radio Dabanga; attributes the destruction to SAF aircraft
- Gezira irrigation scheme: wartime losses in Al Gezira State Sudan · 2023–2026
- Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) (Government) — here: Reported the January 2025 drone strike; there: Party to the war; retook Wad Madani in January 2025
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (Government) — here: Named by CEOBS as attacking a transformer station at the dam in January 2025; there: Party to the war; described by the EUAA, as cited by Al Jazeera, as diverting canals and flooding fields
- Golfrid Siregar death and Batang Toru hydro Indonesia · 2017
- China Eximbank (Bank) — here: Lender: USD 608 million; there: Lender (2017 syndicated loan)
- Sinohydro (Company) — here: Contractor (AidData); there: Builder
- Sudan gum arabic belt: wartime production losses and EU and GCF funding Sudan · 2013–2028
- Rapid Support Forces (RSF) (Government) — here: Named by CEOBS as attacking a transformer station at the dam in January 2025; there: Named by the Panel as responsible for looting with allied militias