CAIRO, (HAN) — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has warned that Egypt will not remain idle in the face of what he described as Ethiopia’s continued provocations over the Nile River.
El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s readiness to defend its water security, describing the issue as “a matter of life and national survival.” The dispute centers on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) — a $4.6 billion hydroelectric project that Ethiopia built on the Blue Nile. Egypt fears the dam could reduce its crucial water share from the river, on which the country depends for more than 90 percent of its freshwater.
“We will not watch silently while our rights are undermined,” el-Sisi said during a public event. “Egypt is always open to dialogue and cooperation, but we will not accept any actions that threaten our share of the Nile waters.”
While Egyptian officials have repeatedly warned of potential action if diplomatic efforts fail, analysts say military intervention faces significant obstacles, including the dam’s remote location deep inside Ethiopian territory, the risk of regional instability, and likely international condemnation. Cairo continues to push for a legally binding agreement with Ethiopia and Sudan over the dam’s filling and operation.
Despite years of African Union and U.S.-brokered negotiations, the three countries have yet to reach a final deal. Ethiopia insists the GERD will not harm downstream nations and is vital for its energy development and economic growth.
