Egypt Accuses Ethiopia Of Politicising Nile Dam Operations

Egypt has accused Ethiopia of politicising the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and taking unilateral decisions that could affect water supplies to Egypt and Sudan. Cairo says Ethiopia's recent water retention caused declining water levels in Sudan and insists that the dam must be operated through prior coordination and a legally binding agreement. Ethiopia maintains that the project is essential to its development and does not intend to harm downstream countries. Negotiations between the three nations have repeatedly stalled, leaving the long-running Nile water dispute unresolved.

Egypt has accused Ethiopia of politicising the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River, saying unilateral decisions over the project have negatively affected Egypt and Sudan.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty made the accusation on Monday during a joint press conference in Cairo with Mozambican Foreign Minister Manuela Lucas.
Abdelatty described water security as an "existential" issue and a national priority for Egypt, stressing that the country’s access to Nile water "cannot be compromised."

EGYPT WARNS AGAINST UNILATERAL DAM OPERATIONS

Abdelatty said Egypt had repeatedly warned Ethiopia against managing the dam without prior coordination with downstream countries.
According to the Egyptian foreign minister, Ethiopia's actions have disregarded international law and the principle of prior consultation, which he said should guide the management of a major shared water resource.
He argued that Ethiopia, as an upstream country, should not take decisions that could affect the flow of water reaching Egypt and Sudan without consulting the two downstream nations.
"Water security is an existential issue for Egypt and a national priority that cannot be compromised," Abdelatty said, warning that unilateral actions by Ethiopia could have serious consequences for the region.

SUDAN'S WATER LEVELS RAISE FRESH CONCERNS

The latest dispute was triggered by concerns over Ethiopia's recent retention of water at the dam.
Abdelatty claimed that the decision was taken without prior coordination and contributed to a decline in water levels in Sudan in recent days, affecting water availability for some communities.
The development has renewed concerns over how the dam's operations could affect the flow of the Nile, particularly during periods of changing rainfall and water demand.
Egypt relies heavily on the Nile for drinking water, agriculture and other economic activities, while Sudan also depends on the river for water supply and farming.

CAIRO SAYS IT SUPPORTS ETHIOPIA'S RIGHT TO DEVELOPMENT

Despite its objections to the dam's operation, Egypt says it does not oppose Ethiopia's efforts to develop its economy or generate electricity.
Abdelatty said Ethiopia had a right to pursue development but insisted that such development should not come at the expense of Egypt and Sudan.
"They have the right to development, and we have the right to life," he said.
The statement reflects Egypt's longstanding position that the GERD can be used for Ethiopia's development, provided its operation does not significantly reduce or unpredictably disrupt water supplies to downstream countries.

A DISPUTE THAT HAS LASTED FOR MORE THAN A DECADE

The dispute over the GERD has continued for years and remains one of Africa's most sensitive transboundary water conflicts.
Ethiopia began construction of the dam in 2011, presenting the project as a major source of hydroelectric power and a key part of its economic development plans.
The dam was officially inaugurated in September 2025, but disagreements over its filling and long-term operation remain unresolved.
Egypt and Sudan have consistently called for a legally binding agreement that would establish clear rules governing the filling and operation of the dam, particularly during periods of drought or water shortages.
Ethiopia, however, has maintained that the project does not require such a binding agreement and has repeatedly insisted that it has no intention of harming the interests of downstream countries.

NEGOTIATIONS HAVE REPEATEDLY STALLED

Attempts to resolve the dispute through negotiations have produced limited progress.
Talks between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia were suspended for about three years before resuming in 2023. However, the negotiations stalled again in 2024 without producing a final agreement acceptable to all three countries.
The lack of a binding framework has continued to fuel tensions, particularly over how Ethiopia will manage water releases and dam operations during periods of drought.

REGIONAL STABILITY AT RISK

The GERD dispute extends beyond water management and has broader implications for relations between the three countries.
Egypt fears that changes in the Nile's flow could threaten its water security, while Ethiopia views the dam as a symbol of national development and energy independence.
Sudan, meanwhile, occupies a particularly sensitive position because it lies directly between Ethiopia and Egypt and could be affected by both the benefits and risks associated with the dam.
The latest accusations are therefore likely to increase pressure on the three countries to return to negotiations and seek a long-term solution.
For now, the central disagreement remains unresolved: Egypt and Sudan want legally binding guarantees on the dam's operation, while Ethiopia continues to defend its right to manage the project as part of its development ambitions.
With the Nile serving as a lifeline for millions of people across the region, the dispute over the GERD remains a major test of diplomacy, regional cooperation and the management of shared water resources.