Egypt Urges UN Action Against Ethiopia's Dam Moves, Vows to Defend National Interests

Egypt has escalated its concerns over Ethiopia’s controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by addressing the United Nations Security Council. On September 1, 2024, Foreign Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aty submitted a formal letter to the Security Council President, condemning recent statements by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the fifth filling phase of the dam.

In his communication, Abdel Aty made it clear that Egypt firmly rejects Ethiopia's unilateral actions, which he argued are in direct violation of international law and the Declaration of Principles signed by Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia in 2015. He also pointed out that Ethiopia’s recent announcement of plans to withhold additional water from the Blue Nile, coupled with the ongoing construction of the dam, is unacceptable to Egypt. These actions, he stated, continue Ethiopia's disruptive and provocative approach towards its neighbors, which threatens regional stability. At a time when many countries in the region are working towards greater cooperation and integration, Ethiopia’s behavior, according to Abdel Aty, sows discord and undermines the collective aspirations of the Nile Basin countries.

The letter also highlighted the breakdown of negotiations over the GERD, which have stretched over 13 years with sincere efforts from Egypt to reach a fair agreement. Abdel Aty accused Ethiopia of using the negotiations as a facade to buy time and solidify its unilateral control over the Nile's waters, without any real intent to compromise or comply with international norms. He criticized Addis Ababa for falsely claiming that its actions are driven by the right to development, noting that Egypt has consistently supported development across the Nile Basin, provided it is done cooperatively and without harm to others.

Abdel Aty warned that Ethiopia’s illegal policies could have severe consequences for downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan. He acknowledged that recent high levels of Nile flooding, along with substantial efforts by the Egyptian government, have helped mitigate some of the negative impacts of Ethiopia's actions over the past few years. However, he emphasized that Egypt remains vigilant and is prepared to take all necessary steps, as authorized by the United Nations Charter, to protect its national interests, resources, and the welfare of its people.