Egypt warns Ethiopia: No unilateral control over Nile waters

Egypt Independent

04-07-2025

Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Engineer Hani Sewilam on Thursday, reaffirmed Egypt's categorical rejection of Ethiopia's continued policy of imposing a 'fait accompli' through unilateral actions regarding the Nile River.
He emphasized that the Nile is a shared international water resource, and Ethiopia's actions represent a clear violation of international law, particularly rules concerning the fair and equitable use of international watercourses and the avoidance of causing significant harm.
During a meeting with his country's ambassadors, Sewilam reiterated Cairo's firm rejection of Ethiopia's ongoing unilateral approach to the Nile. He added that the Ethiopian side has consistently promoted the completion of the dam, which Egypt views as illegitimate and contrary to international law, despite the lack of a binding agreement with the downstream nations and despite the fundamental reservations expressed by both Egypt and Sudan.
Sewilam further stated that Egypt has demonstrated a sincere political commitment to reaching a binding legal agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), one that serves common interests and prevents harm to downstream countries. He noted that these efforts have been met with a lack of political will from the Ethiopian side, which seeks to impose water hegemony rather than fostering partnership and cooperation – something Egypt will not permit.
He mentioned that Ethiopia's repeated calls for resuming negotiations are merely superficial attempts aimed at improving Ethiopia's international image. He pointed out that the practical reality and the more than thirteen-year negotiation process clearly demonstrate Ethiopia's absence of political will to reach an agreement.
The Minister stressed that Ethiopia's evasive and retreating stances, which impose a 'fait accompli' policy, contradict its declared desire for negotiation. He concluded by reaffirming Egypt's absolute rejection of any attempts for Ethiopia's development to come at the expense of the downstream countries' rights.
On Wednesday, Aregawi Berhe, Director of the Ethiopian Dam Project Coordination Office, announced that the GERD has reached a 98.9 percent completion rate, bringing Ethiopia closer to 'achieving its national dream after 14 years of work.'
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday extended a surprise invitation to Egypt and Sudan to attend the inauguration of the GERD in September.
Late 2024 saw tensions rise between Cairo and Addis Ababa following the failure of negotiations over the Nile River waters.
At the beginning of September 2024, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry sent a letter to the UN Security Council rejecting the recent statements made by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the fifth filling of the GERD.
He stressed Egypt's categorical rejection of Ethiopia's unilateral policies that violate the rules and principles of international law, which constitute a clear violation of the Declaration of Principles Agreement and the Security Council's presidential statement of September 15, 2021.
The Egyptian letter to the UN explained that the end of 13 years of negotiations with Egypt's sincerest intentions came once it was obvious to everyone that Addis Ababa is only interested in using the negotiations as a cover to prolong reaching any solution.
It added that Ethiopia is seeking to legitimize its unilateral policies that contradict international law and to hide behind unfounded claims that these policies are based on the right of peoples to development.
Ethiopia, in turn, responded with a letter to the Security Council in which it claimed that Egypt had participated in negotiations over the past decade with the sole aim of obstructing its progress and returning to its rigid positions, claiming that Egypt's insistence on its historical share of the Nile waters is borne from colonial-era deals and a refusal to accept any different outcomes.