Sudan backs away from proposed mediator role in GERD talks: Sudan will no longer be stepping in to act as a mediator between Egypt and Ethiopia in their talks over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Sudanese Water Minister Yasser Abbas told reporters yesterday. This is a reversal from claims made last month by the deputy head of Sudan’s governing council. Abbas did not clarify whether the three countries have plans for when to resume GERD talks, particularly as the covid-19 pandemic has resulted in limited air travel.