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Egypt Independent
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Egypt warns Ethiopia: No unilateral control over Nile waters
Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Engineer Hani Sewilam on Thursday, reaffirmed Egypt's categorical rejection of Ethiopia's continued policy of imposing a 'fait accompli' through unilateral actions regarding the Nile River. He emphasized that the Nile is a shared international water resource, and Ethiopia's actions represent a clear violation of international law, particularly rules concerning the fair and equitable use of international watercourses and the avoidance of causing significant harm. During a meeting with his country's ambassadors, Sewilam reiterated Cairo's firm rejection of Ethiopia's ongoing unilateral approach to the Nile. He added that the Ethiopian side has consistently promoted the completion of the dam, which Egypt views as illegitimate and contrary to international law, despite the lack of a binding agreement with the downstream nations and despite the fundamental reservations expressed by both Egypt and Sudan. Sewilam further stated that Egypt has demonstrated a sincere political commitment to reaching a binding legal agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), one that serves common interests and prevents harm to downstream countries. He noted that these efforts have been met with a lack of political will from the Ethiopian side, which seeks to impose water hegemony rather than fostering partnership and cooperation – something Egypt will not permit. He mentioned that Ethiopia's repeated calls for resuming negotiations are merely superficial attempts aimed at improving Ethiopia's international image. He pointed out that the practical reality and the more than thirteen-year negotiation process clearly demonstrate Ethiopia's absence of political will to reach an agreement. The Minister stressed that Ethiopia's evasive and retreating stances, which impose a 'fait accompli' policy, contradict its declared desire for negotiation. He concluded by reaffirming Egypt's absolute rejection of any attempts for Ethiopia's development to come at the expense of the downstream countries' rights. On Wednesday, Aregawi Berhe, Director of the Ethiopian Dam Project Coordination Office, announced that the GERD has reached a 98.9 percent completion rate, bringing Ethiopia closer to 'achieving its national dream after 14 years of work.' Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday extended a surprise invitation to Egypt and Sudan to attend the inauguration of the GERD in September. Late 2024 saw tensions rise between Cairo and Addis Ababa following the failure of negotiations over the Nile River waters. At the beginning of September 2024, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry sent a letter to the UN Security Council rejecting the recent statements made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the fifth filling of the GERD. He stressed Egypt's categorical rejection of Ethiopia's unilateral policies that violate the rules and principles of international law, which constitute a clear violation of the Declaration of Principles Agreement and the Security Council's presidential statement of September 15, 2021. The Egyptian letter to the UN explained that the end of 13 years of negotiations with Egypt's sincerest intentions came once it was obvious to everyone that Addis Ababa is only interested in using the negotiations as a cover to prolong reaching any solution. It added that Ethiopia is seeking to legitimize its unilateral policies that contradict international law and to hide behind unfounded claims that these policies are based on the right of peoples to development. Ethiopia, in turn, responded with a letter to the Security Council in which it claimed that Egypt had participated in negotiations over the past decade with the sole aim of obstructing its progress and returning to its rigid positions, claiming that Egypt's insistence on its historical share of the Nile waters is borne from colonial-era deals and a refusal to accept any different outcomes.
Egypt Independent
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Expert warns of potential devastating flood from Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam turbine stoppage
Abbas Sharaki, Professor of Geology and Water Resources at Cairo University, stated that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) poses a threat to the security of Egypt and Sudan due to its massive reservoir and its location in a geologically challenging area. In statements made on Al Hadath TV, Sharaki added that Ethiopia had stored approximately 60 billion cubic meters of water by the end of last September. He explained that the GERD's reservoir is exceptionally large and is situated in a region with significant geological issues, which, contrary to Ethiopia's claims, presents a danger to the security of both Egypt and Sudan. The Cairo University water resources expert also highlighted the risk posed by the potential shutdown of the GERD's turbines, especially with forecasts of heavy rainfall next August and the reservoir becoming completely full. Sharaki stressed that any damage to the GERD could lead to a devastating flood that would wipe out 30 million Sudanese living along the Blue Nile. Conversely, he noted that no Ethiopian citizens would be harmed, as the dam is located below the Ethiopian plateau in an uninhabited area. On Wednesday, Aregawi Berhe, Director of the Ethiopian Dam Project Coordination Office, announced that the GERD has reached a 98.9 percent completion rate, bringing Ethiopia closer to 'achieving its national dream after 14 years of work.' Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday extended a surprise invitation to Egypt and Sudan to attend the inauguration of the GERD in September. Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam on Thursday, reaffirmed Egypt's categorical rejection of Ethiopia's continued policy of imposing a 'fait accompli' through unilateral actions regarding the Nile River.
Egypt Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Ethiopian Prime Minister invites Egypt, Sudan to GERD opening, vows no obstruction will halt it
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed extended a surprise invitation to Egypt and Sudan to attend the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on September. Speaking before the Ethiopian Parliament today, Thursday, Ahmed stated, 'The construction of the GERD is complete. We will inaugurate it at the end of summer in September. There are those who try to obstruct it before its opening, but we will inaugurate it. My message to the downstream countries is that the Renaissance Dam is a blessing for Egypt and Sudan.' He continued, 'Not a single liter of water has been reduced from the Aswan Dam.' Ahmed emphasized that as long as Ethiopia is prosperous and developed, they wish no harm to their 'Egyptian and Sudanese brothers.' He added, 'We will use energy and water together, and development and growth are coming. Ethiopia remains ready for dialogue, negotiation, and cooperation with downstream countries.' 'We officially invite Egypt and Sudan, as well as all governments of the downstream countries, to join us in our joy at the inauguration of the Grand Renaissance Dam in September,' he concluded. GERD now '98.9 percent' complete The GERD has reached a 98.9 percent completion rate, bringing Ethiopia closer to 'Achieving its national dream after 14 years of work,' according to the Director of the Ethiopian Dam Project Coordination Office, Aregawi Berhe. Berhe stated on Wednesday that the dam symbolizes national sovereignty and popular unity, emphasizing that it was constructed without any external loans or aid. This assertion directly countered recent remarks by President Donald Trump, who criticized past US administrations' alleged funding of the dam, Gazette Plus reported. Tensions rising Late 2024 saw tensions rise between Cairo and Addis Ababa following the failure of negotiations over the Nile River waters. At the beginning of September 2024, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry sent a letter to the UN Security Council rejecting the recent statements made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the fifth filling of the GERD. He stressed Egypt's categorical rejection of Ethiopia's unilateral policies that violate the rules and principles of international law, which constitute a clear violation of the Declaration of Principles Agreement and the Security Council's presidential statement of September 15, 2021. The Egyptian letter to the UN explained that the end of 13 years of negotiations with Egypt's sincerest intentions came once it was obvious to everyone that Addis Ababa is only interested in using the negotiations as a cover to prolong reaching any solution. It added that Ethiopia is seeking to legitimize its unilateral policies that contradict international law and to hide behind unfounded claims that these policies are based on the right of peoples to development. Ethiopia, in turn, responded with a letter to the Security Council in which it claimed that Egypt had participated in negotiations over the past decade with the sole aim of obstructing its progress and returning to its rigid positions, claiming that Egypt's insistence on its historical share of the Nile waters is borne from colonial-era deals and a refusal to accept any different outcomes.
Egypt Independent
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam nears completion at 98.9%
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has reached a 98.9 percent completion rate, bringing Ethiopia closer to 'achieving its national dream after 14 years of work,' according to the Director of the Ethiopian Dam Project Coordination Office, Aregawi Berhe. Berhe stated on Wednesday that the dam symbolizes national sovereignty and popular unity, emphasizing that it was constructed without any external loans or aid. This assertion directly countered recent remarks by President Donald Trump, who criticized past U.S. administrations' alleged funding of the dam, Gazette Plus reported. He highlighted that Ethiopia has 'paved its way towards poverty eradication by building a dam on the Blue Nile.' He added that millions of Ethiopians contributed to the project financially, morally, intellectually, and diplomatically. Berhe noted that over 23 billion Ethiopian Birrs were raised through bond purchases to finance the dam's construction, describing the project's achievement as a historic victory. Two weeks prior, Trump publicly criticized previous US administrations for funding the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which he claimed 'prevents water from reaching Egypt.' On his Truth Social platform, Trump asserted that the massive dam 'was built with stupid funding from the US' and described it as 'significantly reducing water flowing into the Nile River.' Trump's statements angered Ethiopian officials, who, in turn, denied any US funding for the dam. Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, Habtamu Itefa, responded to Trump's remarks by stating that the project 'was built by the Ethiopian people.' The post Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam nears completion at 98.9% appeared first on Egypt Independent.
