Ethiopian PM asks S.Africa to mediate Nile dam dispute     

• "As he (Ramaphosa) is a good friend for both Ethiopia and Egypt and also as incoming AU chair, he can make a discussion between both parties to solve the issue peacefully," Abiy told reporters at a news conference in South Africa's political capital Pretoria.

Ethiopia's ties to Egypt have soured since the east African country launched the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam in 2011.

Set to become the largest hydropower plant in Africa, the project has fuelled tensions because Egypt depends on the river for 90 percent of its water supply.

Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan -- where the Blue Nile converges with the White Nile before flowing north -- started discussions under US mediation in November that are meant to yield an agreement next week.

But major sticking points remained in the latest round of talks on Thursday and the parties have yet to clinch a deal.

Abiy, who visited South Africa this weekend, called on Ramaphosa to intervene in the negotiations as the next chairperson of the African Union (AU), which he will take over from Egypt this month.

"As he (Ramaphosa) is a good friend for both Ethiopia and Egypt and also as incoming AU chair, he can make a discussion between both parties to solve the issue peacefully," Abiy told reporters at a news conference in South Africa's political capital Pretoria.

Ramaphosa said South Africa was open to playing a role in facilitating "whatever agreement can be crafted".

"What is pleasing, as far as I'm concerned, is that both countries are willing to discuss this matter and find solutions," he said.

The president said he had already brought up the issue with Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who was "willing to have discussions with Ethiopia".

Egypt's irrigation ministry did not wish to comment on whether they would accept South Africa as a mediator.