Egypt: Cairo ready to act if Ethiopian dam causes harm

During a briefing held in Cairo by the State Information Service, the minister argued that the completion of the dam and the time elapsed since its commissioning do not signify Egypt’s acceptance of the situation or a relinquishment of its rights. He stated that the Declaration of Principles signed in 2015 by Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan should lead to a binding agreement on filling, operation, and data exchange, an agreement that has yet to be reached.

Egyptian media reported a more direct statement from Hani Sewilam: Egypt will not allow Ethiopia to control what he referred to as the “key to the life” of Egyptians. He also mentioned that any potential new negotiations should be time-limited and conducted with a partner that respects, according to Cairo’s position, the rules of international law.

The minister also highlighted the risks associated with uncoordinated operation of the dam. He believes that sudden fluctuations in water flow could complicate the management of downstream facilities, particularly in Sudan and Egypt. Cairo has been demanding legally binding rules for the operation of the GERD for several years, especially during periods of prolonged drought or heavy flooding.

Ethiopia rejects this interpretation. Addis Ababa presents the GERD as a development and electricity production project that does not aim to deprive downstream countries of their water. In early August, Ethiopian officials and experts interviewed by the state agency ENA accused Egypt of using the dam issue as a tool for political pressure. A week earlier, Ethiopian Electric Power indicated that the GERD now accounts for 52% of Ethiopia’s electricity export revenue.

The dispute remains stalled over the issue of a legally binding agreement. Trilateral negotiations, which were suspended in 2020 and then resumed in 2023, again faltered in 2024. Hani Sewilam reiterated that Egypt does not consider the commissioning of the dam as a legal fact that ends the dispute.