ADDIS ABABA, (HAN) – Ethiopia has strongly rejected criticisms from Egypt regarding its management of the Nile River, accusing Cairo of adopting an “irresponsible” approach that threatens regional cooperation.
Ethiopian officials emphasized that the country “will not turn a blind eye” to what it perceives as attempts to undermine Ethiopia’s sovereign rights over its water resources.
The response came after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi addressed the 8th Water Week in Cairo, highlighting the importance of diplomacy and international partnerships in managing shared water resources. In a video message, al-Sisi stressed that “Egypt’s trust in diplomacy and international partners, including the United States, should not be seen as weakness,” implicitly warning Ethiopia about potential repercussions over disagreements surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy issued a detailed statement characterizing Egypt’s remarks as “unacceptable” and asserting that such rhetoric only serves to obstruct genuine cooperation. The statement accused Egypt of continuing to pursue “colonial-era policies and outdated perspectives,” referring to historical agreements on Nile water allocations that Ethiopia has long argued were imposed during the colonial period and heavily favor Egypt.
Ethiopia also reiterated its commitment to developing its water resources responsibly, asserting that the GERD, Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, is intended to provide electricity, boost economic development, and improve water management for the Ethiopian people. “We are committed to using our water resources in a sustainable and equitable manner, in accordance with international law,” the ministry added.
Tensions over the Nile have persisted for years, with Egypt and Sudan raising concerns over potential downstream impacts of the GERD on their water supply. Ethiopia, however, maintains that the dam will not significantly harm downstream countries and has called for a mutually agreed-upon framework for dam operation. Analysts say that the latest exchange underscores the continuing challenge of balancing national interests with regional cooperation in managing the Nile, one of Africa’s most vital waterways.
