Sisi: Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Poses No Threat to Egypt
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stated on Tuesday that the ongoing crisis surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) remains a matter of national security, emphasizing that the project cannot be permitted to compromise the existence of the Egyptian state or its people.
During his remarks, President El-Sisi reaffirmed Cairo’s commitment to prioritizing diplomatic channels and peaceful resolutions to navigate the complexities surrounding the dam. The Egyptian leadership continues to seek a mutually beneficial agreement that safeguards the interests of all Nile Basin countries while ensuring that Egypt’s historic water rights remain protected against any potential reductions in supply.
While stressing the importance of international mediation and dialogue, the President highlighted that Egypt is simultaneously pursuing a comprehensive strategy to diversify and increase its national water resources. This multi-pronged approach involves large-scale national projects designed to enhance water efficiency, improve wastewater treatment capabilities, and explore seawater desalination as part of a long-term plan to mitigate any impact resulting from the upstream dam construction.
Egypt, which relies almost exclusively on the Nile for its fresh water supply, has long expressed deep concerns regarding the potential impact of the dam on its downstream water flow. For years, Cairo has been engaged in protracted negotiations with Addis Ababa, seeking a legally binding framework that regulates the filling and annual operation of the reservoir, particularly during periods of prolonged drought.
Despite the significant challenges posed by the project, the Egyptian government maintains that it remains open to constructive discussions with Ethiopia and Sudan. The current stance from the Egyptian presidency underscores a determination to balance the necessity of regional cooperation with the fundamental requirement of securing the nation’s water security.
The ongoing diplomatic efforts are centered on preventing any unilateral actions that could adversely affect the livelihoods of millions of Egyptians who depend on the river for agriculture, industry, and domestic consumption. By coupling these diplomatic initiatives with internal infrastructure development, Egypt aims to bolster its resilience against shifting environmental and regional pressures. As the situation continues to evolve, Cairo maintains that the protection of its water security remains an immutable red line in its foreign policy and domestic development agenda, with the administration focusing on sustainable solutions that avoid escalatory rhetoric while holding firm on the protection of its essential water rights.
