A US diplomat and former ambassador to Ethiopia Tibor Nagy is urging Cairo to abandon what he called bullying tactics in its protracted dispute with Addis Ababa over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Egypt still believe the GERD will negatively affect its water security from the world’s longest river and has been opposed to the project which began in 2011.
In a statement posted on his X page on Tuesday, Nagy criticised Egypt’s approach to the dam, warning that attempts to pressure or isolate Ethiopia are proving counterproductive.
“I know from experience that Ethiopia cannot be bullied, and the more you push, the more immovable they become,” said Nagy, adding, “It’s time to accept today’s reality.”
Nagy, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia and later as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, emphasised the need for professional engagement rather than politicised rhetoric.
Ethiopia on September 9th inaugurated Africa’s biggest dam with the capacity of generating more than 5000 megawatt of electricity without reaching any new agreement with Sudan and Egypt which gravely opposed the construction of the dam from the onset.
Observers say the GERD has ended Egypt’s longstanding protected position over the distribution of the Nile water, in which it essentially held a monopoly.
GERD is also linked to Ethiopia’s pursuit of Red Sea access, which was severed by Eritrea’s independence in 1993 but has recently resurfaced as a national priority.
Despite years of negotiations, facilitated by the African Union and other international actors, Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan have failed to reach an agreement over the dam which is intended to plug the energy deficit.
In this context, Nagy’s statement added a notable diplomatic voice to the debate, urging Cairo to recalibrate its strategy.
According to the ambassador, it is time for Egypt to move beyond the political drama and focus on technical solutions that serve all parties.
The ambassador’s comments show a broader frustration among observers that political posturing has derailed meaningful progress in negotiations.
MG/as/APA