Egypt rejects Trump’s offer to mend GERD dispute with Ethiopia
Egypt has rejected America’s offer to resolve its water scarcity by intervening in its dispute with Ethiopia, according to The New Arab plus Agencies on July 21st.
The US offered to mediate and end the crisis over the dam, whilst in return, Egypt would allow Israel to displace Gaza’s population into Rafa.
Ethiopia’s completion of a power-generating dam, called the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), reignited long-standing tensions with Egypt, as the latter cited that its completion would significantly reduce Cairo’s share of Nile River waters. Egypt had previously welcomed American intervention in the dispute, stating that the dam “violates international law.”
An Egyptian diplomat told the news outlet that the Trump Administration offered Egypt what one would call a “decisive intervention,” according to a US official.
However, in exchange, Egypt would cooperate with Israel in confining millions of Palestinians in a concentration camp near the Rafah border.
Earlier this July, Israeli Defence Minister Katz declared their plans to place a so-called “humanitarian city” on the ruins of Rafah, where the entire Palestinian population will be concentrated. Officials from the Egyptian government deemed the plan as a way to force the Palestinians across the border leading to Egypt, according to Al Araby Al Jadeed.
Egypt warned the project that displacing Gaza’s population towards Rafah would lead Egypt and Israel to a direct confrontation, which could lead to future conflicts. Egypt rejected this offer.
Furthermore, Israel recently proposed Gaza redeployment into Rafah, causing tensions between both parties as well as concerns of national threats for Egypt.
Ethiopia and Egypt have long been having disagreements over Ethiopia’s construction of the $5 billion hydroelectric dam, which threatens to further increase the shortage in Egypt.
US President Donald Trump attempted to pressure Egypt and Jordan into resettling several displaced Palestinians as a stage for his scheme to build a ‘riveria’ on the ruins of Gaza.
The possibility of the US stepping into the GERD dispute was suggested by President Trump, who stated to reporters that his administration is “going to have that solved very quickly.”
In a social media post, Al-Sisis stated that he “appreciates President Trump’s keenness on reaching an agreement that safeguards the interests of all parties regarding the Ethiopian dam, as well as his recognition of the Nile as a source of life for Egypt.”
The New Arab plus Agencies, Maghrei.org
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