Egypt welcomes Trump’s call to resolve Ethiopia dam dispute.
Egypt has welcomed US President Donald Trump’s call to settle its long-standing Blue Nile dam dispute with Ethiopia, according to Anadolu Agency via Middle East Monitor on July 15th.
Ethiopia’s completion of a vast power-generating dam on the Blue Nile, named the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), reignited long-standing tensions with Egypt over the project, with Cairo citing that its completion would significantly reduce its share of Nile River waters.
Egypt struggles with a domestic water supply deficit of 30 billion cubic metres annually. While the country of 114 million people consumes over 85 billion cubic metres per year, its share of Nile water is only 55.5 billion cubic metres. A further reduction of Egypt’s Nile water supply caused by the dam would likely bring devastating consequences.
According to The New Arab plus agencies on July 15th, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has previously warned that Ethiopia’s dam represents an existential threat to the nation. He even went as far as to caution that Egypt would be forced to defend itself if the dam were to threaten its vital interests.
Egyptian Irrigation Minister Hani Sweillam echoed similar sentiments and added that Ethiopia’s completion of GERD “violated international law.”
During a White House meeting with NATO secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 14th, Trump declared that the US should help to mediate a negotiated settlement between the two African nations regarding water sharing plans.
Trump stressed the importance of Nile water for Egypt as a “very important source of income and life.” He added that “I think if I am Egypt, I want to have water in the Nile, and we are working on that,” according to The National on July 15th.
Near the end of his first term in 2020, Trump attempted to settle the dam dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. However, as finalisation of the deal was imminent, members of the Ethiopian delegation made themselves scarce, despite Ethiopia simultaneously accusing Egypt of obstructing the deal.
Cairo is evidently committed to securing US involvement in negotiations once more. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi heavily praised Trump’s recent comments, claiming that they “demonstrate the seriousness of the United States – under President Trump’s leadership – in exerting efforts to resolve conflicts and end wars.”
He continued in saying that “Egypt also appreciates President Trump’s keenness on reaching a just 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.”
On his official X account on July 15th, el-Sisi proclaimed that “Egypt also reaffirms its confidence in President Trump’s ability to address complex challenges and advance peace, stability and security across the globe.”
However, recent diplomatic tension between Cairo and Washington over the US’ support for Israel’s brutal military campaign in Gaza, alongside Trump’s plan to forcibly resettle Palestinians from the territory, has led some to believe that the US President may demand a quid pro quo if he is to settle Egypt’s dam dispute with Ethiopia.
Ambassador Moataz Ahmadin, Egypt’s former envoy to the United Nations, told TNA that “Trump does not help anybody for free, the sale of arms to his European allies, so that they can give them to Ukraine, being a case in point.”
“This man has proven a failure so far in Ukraine and in Gaza. How can he then succeed in settling the dispute over the Ethiopian dam?” he asked.
Middle East Monitor, Maghrebi.org, The New Arab plus agencies, The National
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
