Egypt Resolutely Opposes Ethiopia’s Plans for New Nile Dams

Cairo: Egypt "will not allow" Ethiopia to construct new dams on the Nile River, Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam announced amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Sewilam's statement was made during a press conference in Cairo following reports suggesting Ethiopia's intentions to build three additional dams on the Nile alongside the GERD. According to TRTworld.com, Sewilam emphasized Egypt's stance against Ethiopia's dam-building plans, asserting that the Egyptian state would not permit such actions. He reiterated Egypt's demand for a clear and legally binding mechanism to facilitate the exchange of operational data concerning the GERD. This mechanism is crucial for Egypt and Sudan to anticipate water releases and annual operating plans. Sewilam highlighted the challenges faced by Sudan due to the lack of data on the volume and timing of water releases from Ethiopia. This absence of information complicates Sudan's ability to manage its dams and water storage. Sewilam po inted out that Sudan should not be held responsible for disruptions in water management under these conditions, attributing the difficulties to Ethiopia's refusal to agree to a legally binding data-sharing mechanism. The Egyptian minister reiterated Egypt's commitment to achieving a legally binding agreement on the GERD's filling and operation, which would ensure regular data exchange. Such an agreement aims to safeguard the interests of all involved parties and mitigate risks associated with shared water resources. The long-standing dispute between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia over the GERD began with its construction in 2011. Egypt and Sudan have consistently sought a legally binding trilateral agreement before the dam becomes fully operational. However, Ethiopia argues that such an agreement is unnecessary, maintaining that the dam will not adversely affect downstream countries' interests. The disagreement led to a three-year suspension of negotiations, which briefly resumed in 2023, only to stall again in 2024. The Nile River, spanning approximately 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles), is a vital water source shared by 11 countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, the DR Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.