ADDIS ABABA, (HAN) – Egypt has appointed a new ambassador to Ethiopia, a significant diplomatic move that comes at a sensitive moment as tensions between the two countries over the Nile River continue to escalate.
The Ethiopian government formally received the credentials of Egypt’s new envoy, Ambassador Aziza Geleta, who is expected to play a key role in managing relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa. The appointment is seen as both a gesture of engagement and a sign of Egypt’s ongoing concern about Ethiopia’s management of the Nile waters.
Relations between the two nations have been strained for more than a decade, primarily over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile. Ethiopia views the GERD as a cornerstone of its economic development and a source of national pride, promising electricity for millions of citizens.
Egypt, however, fears the project will significantly reduce its share of Nile waters, which provide over 90 percent of the country’s fresh water supply. Despite years of negotiations, mediated at times by the African Union, the two countries have yet to reach a comprehensive agreement on water sharing, dam operations, and drought management.
The appointment of Ambassador Geleta is therefore seen as an important step in maintaining open diplomatic channels at a time when mistrust remains high. Analysts suggest her mission will be to balance diplomacy with the difficult task of defending Ethiopia’s position while attempting to ease Egyptian concerns.
The move also highlights the broader geopolitical stakes in the Horn of Africa and Northeast Africa, where water security, regional stability, and international mediation efforts intersect. Both nations have in the past traded strong statements over the dam, but they also recognize the necessity of keeping communication lines open.
Whether the new ambassador’s arrival will pave the way for renewed dialogue or merely serve as a symbolic gesture remains to be seen. For now, her appointment underscores the urgency and sensitivity of Egypt-Ethiopia relations in the shadow of the Nile.
