Egypt Exercises Maximum Restraint over Ethiopia’s Controversial Dam File: U.S.

The commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM) Gen. Kenneth McKenzie said that Ethiopia's behavior over the controversial dam is worrying, stressing that Egypt is exercising maximum restraint, and is endeavoring to reach a diplomatic and political solution.

In a televised interview, McKenzie confirmed that his country is determined to continue efforts in a bid to reach consensus on the crisis of the Ethiopian Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, saying that the dam file is "very worrying."

He said that Washington is fully aware of the unique importance of the Nile River to Egypt, as the only source of water

General McKenzie affirmed his country's keenness to support the strategic partnership and military cooperation between Egypt and the US in a way that meets the common interests between the two countries.

He also praised Egypt's role in ceasing the recent Israeli war on the Gaza Strip, noting that it aims to establish the stability of the Middle East region.

McKenzie said: "The United States has long-standing relations with Egypt, saying that it is one of the important countries for the stability and security of the region."

Cairo has repeatedly called for the U.S., the European Union, and the U.N. to join the talks as mediators, along with the African Union. Addis Ababa has rejected the idea.

The agreement would spell out how the dam is operated and filled, based on international law and norms governing cross-border rivers.

The dam is now 80% complete and is expected to reach full generating capacity in 2023, making it Africa's largest hydroelectric power plant and the world's seventh-largest, according to reports in Ethiopia's state media.

The dispute now centers on how quickly Ethiopia should fill and replenish the reservoir and how much water it releases downstream in case of a multi-year drought. The latest round of African Union-brokered negotiations in April failed to make progress.

Egypt and Sudan said they had sent letters to the Security Council this month, explaining their positions on the dam. Both warned about dire repercussions to the peace and stability of the Horn of Africa without a deal.