Egypt has declared that it has exhausted every possible avenue of negotiation with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), and warned that it will not hesitate to act to protect its national water interests if its share of Nile waters is harmed.
The announcement came from Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Migration, Dr. Badr Abdelatty, who underscored the issue as a top national priority and a matter of existential concern for over 110 million Egyptians.
“Water security is not just a strategic issue — it is a matter of life and death for Egypt,” Abdelatty said during a public briefing, adding that the Nile River is the country’s lifeline, providing more than 90% of Egypt’s fresh water.
A Decade of Stalled Diplomacy
Abdelatty made clear that Cairo has invested over a decade in negotiations, participating in regional, continental, and international mediation platforms in hopes of reaching a legally binding agreement with Ethiopia and Sudan on the filling and operation of the GERD.
“We have shown maximum flexibility and commitment to peaceful dialogue,” he said. “Yet, after more than eleven years, Ethiopia continues to act unilaterally, ignoring international law and regional agreements.”
Despite repeated mediation efforts — including African Union-led talks and interventions by the United States, European Union, and the United Nations — no binding agreement has been reached. Ethiopia has continued to fill the reservoir unilaterally, while talks have stalled for over a year.
National Institutions Fully Engaged
Abdelatty explained that a Supreme Committee on Nile Waters, chaired by the Prime Minister and including ministers of defense, irrigation, and foreign affairs, continues to monitor the situation closely.
“The committee uses all available diplomatic, legal, and technical tools to safeguard Egypt’s water interests,” he noted, emphasizing the country’s growing reliance on satellite surveillance and advanced hydrological analysis to monitor changes at the GERD site.
International Awareness Rising
The Foreign Minister said Egypt is working to raise international awareness of its position, stressing that in all bilateral and multilateral forums — including meetings with African, Arab, and European partners — Cairo has exposed Ethiopia’s intransigence and called for urgent re-engagement on a fair basis.
“African leaders now better understand Egypt’s water concerns. They see clearly which party is cooperating, and which one is obstructing,” he noted.
Final Warning on National Rights
Abdelatty concluded with a firm message: Egypt reserves its full right to act — diplomatically or otherwise — should its water share be affected by continued Ethiopian actions.
“We will never allow any threat to Egypt’s historical water rights. If harm occurs, Egypt will act decisively to defend its people and national interests, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.”
His remarks follow recent escalations between Egypt and Ethiopia, as Addis Ababa moves forward with announcing the full operation of the GERD by September, despite outstanding disputes with downstream countries.
