For years, tensions have simmered between Egypt and Ethiopia over the construction of a hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile.
Egypt has escalated its concerns to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), accusing Ethiopia of jeopardizing regional stability with its unilateral actions regarding the contentious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River.
Cairo’s foreign ministry announced the decision on Sunday, responding to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent declaration of the fifth phase of the GERD’s filling—conducted without consulting downstream nations, particularly Egypt. This dam, situated on the Blue Nile River, provides 97% of Egypt’s water. Under construction since 2011, the dam is expected to become Africa’s largest hydroelectric power plant, with a planned capacity of 5.15 gigawatts. Despite its potential benefits, the dam has sparked concerns over its impact on water flows to downstream countries, including Egypt and famine-stricken Sudan.
On August 25, Prime Minister Ahmed shared photos on X (formerly Twitter) showcasing the opening of the dam’s spillways in Ethiopia’s Guba district. He announced that the release of an additional 2,800 cubic meters of water per second would “significantly enhance agricultural productivity, boost power generation, and improve resource utilization throughout the region.”
However, Egypt sharply criticized the move, labeling it “unacceptable” and part of Ethiopia’s “provocative approach” toward its neighbors. According to Cairo’s foreign ministry, Ethiopia’s actions violate international law, including the 2015 GERD Declaration of Principles signed by Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, as well as the Security Council’s Presidential Statement from September 2021.
In a letter to the UNSC, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Atty emphasized that Egypt has engaged in good-faith negotiations with Ethiopia for 13 years. Yet, he argued, these talks have stalled as it became evident that Addis Ababa sought to drag them out indefinitely while creating a de facto situation on the ground.
This complaint comes amidst rising tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia, fuelled by Cairo’s support for Somalia in its dispute with Addis Ababa over a Red Sea access deal. On January 1, Ethiopia signed an agreement with breakaway Somaliland to lease 20 km (12 miles) of coastal land for a marine force base, allegedly in exchange for recognizing Somaliland’s independence. Egypt has condemned Ethiopia’s actions as a source of regional instability and has pledged to defend Somalia after its government deemed the deal illegal and accused Ethiopia of a land grab.
Recently, Egypt delivered military aid, including weapons, to Somalia for the first time in over four decades, following a defence agreement signed earlier this year.
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