Egypt Criticizes Ethiopia’s Dam Over Lack of Binding Agreement

Egypt has again raised concerns over Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, saying the project lacks a legally binding agreement. The dam is now fully built and is expected to be officially launched in September, according to Ethiopia’s Prime Minister.

Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation released a statement on Friday, saying Ethiopia continues to act alone on the Nile River without considering the rights of other countries that share the river, especially Egypt and Sudan.

Egypt heavily depends on the Nile River for water. It uses the river for farming, drinking water, and supporting its population of over 100 million people. Officials fear that the dam could reduce the amount of water flowing into Egypt.

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which cost over $4 billion, began generating electricity in 2022. It’s located on the Blue Nile near the Sudanese border. When fully operational, the dam will produce more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity—double Ethiopia’s current capacity.

Negotiations between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over the dam have lasted more than 13 years. However, no final deal has been reached. Egypt says it is still unclear how much water Ethiopia will release during droughts.

In its statement, Egypt called the completion of the dam “illegal” and accused Ethiopia of trying to dominate the Nile’s water. The ministry said Ethiopia’s actions violate international law and show a lack of respect for cooperation.

On Thursday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told lawmakers that the dam is meant to bring growth for all. He said, “We believe in shared water, shared energy, and shared progress. Our development should not come at the cost of others.”

But Egypt says Ethiopia’s words do not match its actions. The Water Ministry described Ethiopia’s promise of future talks as “just a way to improve its global image.” They said Ethiopia avoids real negotiations while continuing to act on its own.

Despite the tensions, Egypt is working on ways to manage its water better. This includes expanding wastewater treatment, improving irrigation systems, and partnering with Nile Basin countries on development projects.

Egypt has made it clear that it rejects Ethiopia’s unilateral moves and will continue to push for fair use of the Nile, which it calls an international river that must be shared responsibly.

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