At the UN General Assembly, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty declared that Egypt would not ignore threats to its existence from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He highlighted Ethiopia’s unilateral actions and emphasized Egypt’s commitment to protect its water rights and the lives of its citizens, marking the dam as a significant threat to Egypt’s water supply amid stalled negotiations.
During the high-level General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on September 28, 2024, Egypt’s Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty asserted that Egypt would not ignore threats to its existence arising from the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He stated, “It is a mistake to think that Egypt will turn a blind eye or tolerate a threat to its existence,” highlighting Ethiopia’s disregard for the well-being of people in both Egypt and Sudan. Abdelatty remarked that Egypt would continue to closely monitor the developments related to the dam’s filling and operation, emphasizing that Egypt reserves the right to take actions necessary to protect its interests and guarantee the welfare of its citizens under the United Nations Charter. He criticized Ethiopia for its unilateral actions regarding the GERD, which he claimed violate international law, particularly referencing the Declaration of Principles agreement from 2015, as well as the Security Council’s Presidential Statement from 2021. Over the past thirteen years, Egypt has engaged in negotiations with Ethiopia regarding the dam, but these talks reached a stalemate in December 2023 due to Ethiopian unilateral actions. Abdelatty condemned Ethiopia’s persistent procrastination and attempts to impose unilateral decisions regarding the dam, undermining the interests of millions in downstream countries like Egypt and Sudan. Considering Egypt’s significant dependence on the Nile for meeting its water needs, the GERD poses a severe threat to its already limited water supply, which is approximately 550 cubic meters per person annually, significantly below the recognized global threshold of 1,000 cubic meters. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has previously characterized the nation’s water rights as a “red line,” asserting that any interference with Egypt’s water allocation would have far-reaching repercussions for regional stability. While Ethiopia claims that the dam serves the needs of downstream countries and supports its own energy production, Egyptian officials have expressed concerns that Ethiopia seeks to assert political control over the Nile River through the dam’s operation. Following the breakdown of the latest trilateral negotiations involving Ethiopia and Sudan, Egypt maintained that Ethiopia’s unwillingness to accept proposed frameworks for safeguarding shared interests led to the failure of discussions. In early September, Abdelatty sent a letter to the president of the UN Security Council condemning Ethiopia’s actions concerning the GERD, which he characterized as provocations against its neighbors. He warned that these actions threaten regional stability, emphasizing the need for cooperation rather than discord among nations with shared interests.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been a significant source of tension between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia since its inception. The dam, constructed by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile, is intended to provide hydroelectric power and promote economic development. However, Egypt, which relies heavily on the Nile for its water supply, views the dam as a critical threat to its water security. The historical context of water rights over the Nile, coupled with the geopolitical tensions surrounding the dam’s construction and operation, underscores the urgency of international diplomatic efforts. Despite ongoing negotiations facilitated by various international actors, the parties have struggled to reach a binding agreement, leading to heightened tensions and a cycle of unilateral actions that further complicate the situation.
In conclusion, Egypt is steadfast in its position regarding the existential threats posed by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as articulated by Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty during the recent UN General Assembly debate. The ongoing disputes accentuate the delicate balance between cooperation and unilateral actions in managing Nile River water resources. With Egypt’s water security hanging in the balance, the call for a binding agreement remains crucial amidst Ethiopia’s continued operation of the dam without regional consensus.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
