Cairo has reiterated its opposition to the construction of new Ethiopian dams on the Nile, as expressed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in a recent interview with Al Arabiya TV. This marks the third time in two weeks that Egyptian officials have voiced concerns over Ethiopia’s plans, which include the development of additional dams. Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia have been heightened by unresolved issues surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), particularly regarding its filling and operation, which Egypt fears could jeopardize its water supply. Abdelatty asserted that Egypt has the legitimate right to defend its water security and will not permit further dam construction on the Nile. The official Egyptian news agency also emphasized that Ethiopia’s ambitions to control water flows are not supported by international law.
Why It Matters
The Nile River is a crucial water source for Egypt, supplying over 90% of its water needs. Historical agreements, such as the 1929 and 1959 treaties, have granted Egypt significant water rights, but Ethiopia’s construction of the GERD and potential new dams threatens these arrangements. The ongoing dispute jeopardizes relations between the two countries and raises concerns over water security in the region. As the upstream nation, Ethiopia argues for its right to utilize the Nile for development, while Egypt maintains that any unilateral actions could have severe consequences for downstream users. The situation is a critical example of resource allocation conflicts in transboundary water management.
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