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Daily News Egypt
14-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt's Water Minister Rejects GERD Legitimacy, Warns Against 'Unilateral Actions' by Ethiopia
Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Dr. Hani Sewilam, said the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) remains 'illegal and incomplete,' directly challenging recent statements by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Speaking on MBC Egypt's Yahduth Fi Masr talk show on Thursday evening, Sewilam called on the Ethiopian government to translate its pledges of no harm to downstream nations into a binding agreement. 'Egypt will not accept any tampering with its national water security,' he said, stressing Addis Ababa's repeated violations of the 2015 Declaration of Principles signed by Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Egypt Accuses Ethiopia of Violating International Norms The minister asserted that the dam was constructed outside internationally recognized legal frameworks, citing unilateral filling and operation without consensus with Egypt and Sudan. 'Each cubic meter stored behind the dam comes at Egypt's expense—this is unacceptable, both legally and ethically,' Sewilam said. Egypt has been closely monitoring developments using satellite imagery and technical analysis, according to the minister, who criticized Ethiopia's 'random and unjustified' operational decisions. He also questioned the credibility of Ethiopia's recent announcement that GERD will be inaugurated in September, pointing out that only 8 of 13 turbines have been installed, with 5–6 functioning irregularly. Continued Coordination with Sudan Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt's ongoing coordination with Sudan, noting that the downstream country may face even greater risks due to its proximity to the dam. He warned that Ethiopia's actions could threaten the structural integrity of Sudan's Roseires Dam, which lies just downstream of GERD. The minister reiterated Egypt's stance that it supports regional development, but not at the expense of its historic Nile water rights. 'We believe in cooperative solutions that respect all parties,' he said. High Dam Still Key to Egypt's Water Security Sewilam praised Egypt's Aswan High Dam as a critical buffer that has helped the country manage the impact of Ethiopia's unilateral actions. 'Without the High Dam, we would not have withstood Ethiopia's behavior,' he said, calling the dam an 'engineering masterpiece.' He also outlined Egypt's long-term water strategy, including a massive expansion in wastewater recycling. Egypt currently reuses 22 billion cubic meters annually, with a target of 85 billion by 2027. The minister emphasized that 90% of Egypt's water resources originate outside its borders, underscoring the need for regional cooperation. GERD Nearing Inauguration Amid Unresolved Disputes Despite the ongoing diplomatic deadlock, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced earlier this month that the GERD is 'completed' and will be officially inaugurated in September. The dam, under construction since 2011, has remained a flashpoint in relations between Ethiopia and its downstream neighbors. Talks over a binding agreement on dam operation and water allocation have repeatedly stalled, with no final deal in sight. While Ethiopia maintains that GERD is essential for its development, Egypt views the project as an existential threat to its water security.
Al-Ahram Weekly
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Necessary coordination on the GERD - Egypt - Al-Ahram Weekly
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced last week that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been completed and will be officially inaugurated in September. The latest statement builds on a previous one in the Ethiopian parliament in March that also highlighted the fact that the dam is complete, said Abbas Sharaki, professor of geology at Cairo University. The statements are primarily directed at the Ethiopian people, who have long awaited the completion of the dam and its claimed benefits, Sharaki said. The Ethiopian statements use frequently repeated phrases such as the 'GERD is a shared opportunity,' the '[GERD is] not threatening or harming to Egypt,' and Ethiopia is 'willing to engage constructively' on the GERD, Sharaki added. Ahmed had not only stated that the dam poses no threat to Egypt but had also said that the water in Egypt's Aswan High Dam had not decreased by a single litre and extended a provocative invitation to Egypt and Sudan to attend the dam's opening ceremony, Sharaki noted. Egypt has repeatedly and firmly expressed its rejection of Ethiopia's unilateral acts in building and operating the dam without reaching a legally binding agreement on its filling and operation. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi and Sudanese Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan stressed their rejection of any unilateral measures taken by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile during their meeting in Cairo last week. Egyptian Minister of Water Resources Hani Sewilam recently highlighted Egypt's firm rejection of Ethiopia's repeated unilateral measures with regard to the GERD. 'Ethiopia has taken these measures without a binding agreement with the downstream countries and despite genuine concerns by Egypt and Sudan,' Sewilam noted. He described the Ethiopian acts as 'a clear violation of international law,' especially regulations related to the fair and equitable use of international waterways and the prevention of causing harm to neighbouring countries. Sewilam's statement came during a meeting between Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and ambassadors who will soon start their terms in Egyptian diplomatic missions abroad. The meeting was held in the headquarters of Egypt's Foreign Ministry in Cairo. Abdelatty described water security as a potential existential threat, stressing that the country would not allow its historical Nile water rights to be compromised. In a recent television interview, Abdelatty noted that Egypt's annual water needs exceed 90 billion cubic metres (bcm), while its Nile share stands at just 55.5 bcm. Per capita water availability is under 500 cubic metres per year, well below the United Nations water poverty threshold of 1,000. 'This poses a major challenge for the state… placing Egypt in a state of severe water scarcity,' he said. The concrete work at the GERD has already been completed, and six of the 13 turbines have been installed. Two were installed in February and August 2022, two in August 2024, and the last two were tested in February this year. According to Sharaki, the original plan of the GERD was to install 16 turbines, but those were later reduced to 13 for no clearly stated reasons. The claim that the GERD does not pose a threat to Egypt and Sudan is also not correct. 'The dam's capacity has increased from 11.1 billion cubic metres in the original US study to 64 billion cubic metres, which presents a genuine threat to an area fraught with geological problems such as earthquakes as well as annual flooding, making it a water bomb that could explode at any moment,' Sharaki said. In addition, withholding 60 billion cubic metres of water over five years without agreement has caused significant harm, costing Egypt more than LE500 billion in measures to ease the dam's harmful impacts on its citizens. The 1929 and 1959 treaties gave Egypt and Sudan their present water quotas of 55.5 and 18 bcm, respectively, of Nile water. It also gave them the right to veto projects on the Nile that would deprive them of their share of water. But Ethiopia said it should not be bound by these treaties, and it started building the dam in 2011. Between 2020 and 2024, Ethiopia unilaterally completed the dam's five-stage filling and began operating the turbines without an agreement on filling or operations with Egypt and Sudan. In December 2023, Cairo announced the end of negotiations on the dam, citing Ethiopia's refusal to seriously engage on proposed legal or technical solutions. Returning to the negotiating table as soon as possible remains Egypt's demand and pragmatic option, Sharaki said. The present and future operation of the GERD requires draining water either through the turbines or flood gates and then refilling it during the rainy season from July to September, explained Sharaki, adding that these steps require continuous coordination to avoid any damage to Egypt and Sudan and to benefit Ethiopia. 'The full storage of water behind the dam without coordination poses a genuine risk to Sudan in the first place and then to Egypt,' he concluded. * A version of this article appears in print in the 10 July, 2025 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Egypt Independent
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Egypt Independent
Irrigation Min Stresses Importance Of Technical Cooperation Among African Countries in Water Field
Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt's continued commitment to strengthening African unity, fostering cooperation and exchanging technical expertise among African nations in the field of water resources management. During a meeting with a delegation from the Committee on Agriculture and Environment of Namibia's National Council, led by Paulus N. Mbangu, Member of Parliament and Deputy Chair of the Committee, the minister said, all efforts contribute to the advancement of Africa's Agenda 2063, under the vision of 'The Africa We Want'. The meeting was also attended by Abdel-Salam al-Gebaly, Chairman of the Agriculture and Irrigation Committee of the Egyptian Senate, the committee's deputy chairman Mohamed el-Sebaey and Noha Zaki, Secretary of the Senate's Energy, Environment and Manpower Committee, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation. Sewilam reaffirmed Egypt's commitment to strengthening its cooperation with Namibia under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries in November 2023, which focusing on sustainable management and development of water resources. Meantime, the minister underscored the importance of ongoing efforts to develop joint projects aligned with the shared priorities of both countries, particularly in the areas of groundwater management and coastal protection. He also underlined the opportunities available for Namibia to benefit from capacity-building programs and training courses provided by the Pan-African Center for Water and Climate Adaptation (PACWA). The minister outlined principal challenges facing Egypt's water sector, including limited water availability, rapid population growth and the detrimental effects of climate change. In response to these challenges, Egypt has accelerated its initiatives to treat and reuse wastewater for agricultural purposes, adopting this as a strategic approach to narrow the gap between constrained water resources and increasing demand, he further noted. Egypt has expanded reliance on treatment and reuse of agricultural drainage water to reduce the gap between available water resources and demand, as well as to import agricultural crops from abroad equivalent to 33.5 billion cubic meters of water annually, said the minister. He also pointed out to the necessity of shifting to modern irrigation systems due to their role in rationalizing water consumption, increasing crop productivity, and improving quality, while the ministry continues to monitor farmers' compliance with using modern irrigation systems in sandy lands. Sewilam underscored the essential role of transitioning to modern irrigation systems, emphasizing their significant contribution to water conservation, boosting crop productivity, and enhancing the quality of agricultural output. He said his ministry is actively monitoring farmers' compliance with modern irrigation practices, especially in sandy and reclaimed lands, to ensure the efficient use of water resources. The minister highlighted the critical role of scientific research, innovation, and advanced technology in effective water management, stressing the need to strengthen collaboration between Egypt's National Water Research Center (NWRC) and relevant research institutions in Namibia. It is noteworthy that the Namibian delegation is visiting Egypt to draw upon its pioneering expertise in water management and agricultural development. During their visit, the delegation toured the NWRC, the Irrigation Museum and the Water Science Cultural Center in Qanater al-Khayriya, as well as an exemplary modern irrigation project along the Mansouriya Canal in Giza governorate. The visit also included a meeting with local water users' associations in the region.
Daily News Egypt
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily News Egypt
Egypt accelerates coastal protection projects amid rising climate threats
Egypt is stepping up efforts to safeguard its Mediterranean coastline—particularly in the historic city of Alexandria—in response to the growing threat of climate change, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam announced on Sunday. During a meeting to assess ongoing projects, Sewilam underscored the urgent need for clear policies and practical measures to address the escalating impacts of climate change. He called for stronger coordination between executive bodies and scientific institutions, both within and beyond the ministry, to develop data-driven, systematic responses. The minister instructed key agencies—including the Shore Protection Authority, the National Water Research Center, and the Planning Sector—to maintain close monitoring of climate trends and extreme weather patterns affecting Egypt's northern coastal zones and the Nile Delta, to enable timely preventive action. According to a statement from the ministry, the first phase of the Alexandria Coast Protection Project is currently underway. It covers a 2-kilometre stretch from Bi'r Masoud to El-Mahrousa. The second phase, which spans 600 metres, is designed to reinforce the Corniche wall and roadway in the Loran district, while also restoring the adjacent sandy beach. Other initiatives include the construction of wave breakers in front of the naval forces' facility in Ras El Bar, located in Damietta Governorate, and the continuation of coastal protection works on Al-Obayed beach in Matrouh as part of a second-phase intervention. In addition, the ministry confirmed the completion of the tendering process for four new coastal protection projects targeting low-lying areas in the governorates of Beheira, Kafr El-Sheikh, and Damietta—regions considered especially vulnerable to sea level rise and coastal erosion.
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.
