Egypt has again filed a complaint with the United Nations Security Council against Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The move follows the dam’s inauguration by Ethiopia, a step Egypt calls illegal and a threat to its water security.
In an official letter to the Security Council, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty described the dam’s commissioning as a “unilateral measure” that violates international law. He stated that the dam’s inauguration does not legitimize a project that has been a point of contention for over 14 years.
Egypt insists that its repeated diplomatic efforts and negotiations have failed to resolve the issue. In a statement, Cairo emphasized that its choice to pursue diplomacy is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of its belief in cooperation among Nile Basin nations.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has warned that Egypt will not compromise on its water rights. The country, which relies on the Nile for nearly all of its fresh water, fears the Ethiopian dam could jeopardize its annual share of 55.5 billion cubic meters. With Egypt’s current water needs already exceeding 90 billion cubic meters, the country is well below the UN’s water poverty line.
This is not the first time the GERD issue has been brought before the Security Council. Egypt views Ethiopia’s actions as a political move to create a fait accompli. Cairo has stated that it reserves the right to take any measures necessary under international law to protect its vital interests.
MK/ac/Sf/fss/abj/APA