Water is Egypt's only existential threat, Nile rights non-negotiable: FM Abdelatty on GERD - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has described water security as Egypt's sole existential threat, stressing that the country will not allow its historical Nile water rights to be compromised.
Speaking in an interview with presenter Lamis El-Hadidy on ON TV Sunday evening, Abdelatty said:
'We [Egyptians] must trust the state and its institutions—they are fully aware of the importance of this issue and will not hesitate to defend Egypt's water rights.'
He noted Egypt's annual water needs exceed 90 billion cubic metres, while its Nile share stands at just 55.5 billion. Per capita water availability is under 500 cubic meters per year—well below the United Nation's (UN) water poverty threshold of 1,000.
'This poses a major water challenge for the state… placing Egypt in a state of severe water scarcity.'
Regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Abdelatty stated that negotiations with Ethiopia have stalled after 12 years of talks, accusing Addis Ababa of using the process to enforce a fait accompli.
Between 2020 and 2024, Ethiopia unilaterally completed the dam's five-stage filling and began operating two turbines—without an agreement on filling or operations with its downstream nations, Egypt and Sudan. In December 2023, Cairo announced the end of negotiations, citing Ethiopia's refusal to engage on proposed legal or technical solutions.
Red Sea security, Suez Canal traffic
Abdelatty also addressed security in the Red Sea, saying Egypt is the most affected by disruptions to navigation.
'More than $8 billion in direct net losses have resulted from the decline in Suez Canal traffic.'
Ship traffic through the canal has dropped by over 65 percent, he said, with monthly losses from reduced Red Sea navigation reaching $600 million.
The Suez Canal, which previously carried 12 percent of global trade, has seen shipping diverted via the Cape of Good Hope since Houthi attacks near the Bab El-Mandab Strait intensified in late 2023. Yemen's Houthi rebel group says the attacks target ships linked to Israel, the US, and the UK in support of Palestinians.
Despite a US-Houthi ceasefire deal brokered by Oman last month, the Houthis later stated Israel was not part of the agreement.
Abdelatty said Egypt is in contact with Iran to help pressure the Houthis to halt attacks.
'We are speaking with the Iranians to pressure the Houthis to refrain from targeting ships. This is one of the main topics in our discussions… and we are engaging with all regional and international parties.'
He added that the Omani foreign minister is expected in Cairo this week to discuss Red Sea maritime security.
Red Sea coastal states council
Abdelatty called for the rapid activation of the Council of Arab and African Coastal States of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, established in 2020 by eight littoral countries of the region.
'We are engaging with our Arab and African brothers to expedite the establishment and operationalization of the Council.'
He reiterated that Red Sea security is the responsibility of its coastal states alone, rejecting any foreign military presence in the region.
'This is a red line and a clear Egyptian position.'
At a press conference in January 2025 with the foreign ministers of Eritrea and Somalia, Abdelatty stated that Egypt rejects any non-littoral military presence and supports Somali sovereignty.
'We reaffirm our commitment to Somalia's stability… and support the government in extending state control… and combating terrorism.'
Tensions rose after Ethiopia signed a deal with Somaliland in early 2024, granting it access to the Red Sea in exchange for recognizing the breakaway region. Somalia views Somaliland as part of its territory.
'We have conveyed our position on the Red Sea to all relevant actors in the region, including Turkey... Our stance is very clear: we will not accept, under any circumstance, the permanent presence of any non-coastal party on the Red Sea.'
In December 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a Somali-Ethiopian agreement to end their year-long dispute, calling it a 'historic' step toward renewed cooperation.
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