Written by Lisa Murimi
Tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia have flared once again following Addis Ababa’s announcement last week that the $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is now complete.
Egypt’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation condemned the milestone as “unlawful” and a violation of international law, accusing Ethiopia of unilateralism and disregard for the rights of downstream nations.
In a sharply worded statement, the Egyptian government rejected Ethiopia’s renewed calls for dialogue, calling them politically motivated and insincere.
“Ethiopia’s positions, marked by evasion and retreat while pursuing unilateralism, are in clear contradiction with its declared willingness to negotiate,” the ministry said.
The GERD, located on the Blue Nile, is Africa’s largest hydroelectric project and is expected to generate over 6,000 megawatts of electricity, doubling Ethiopia’s power capacity.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the dam as a symbol of progress and regional cooperation, saying, “We believe in shared progress, shared energy, and shared water.”
But Cairo sees it differently. With over 90% of its water supply sourced from the Nile, Egypt views the dam as an existential threat—especially in times of drought.
Egyptian officials fear that without a legally binding agreement on dam operations and water releases, the country’s agriculture and drinking water supplies could be severely impacted.
Despite more than a decade of talks involving Sudan, Egypt, and Ethiopia, no final accord has been reached.
Previous efforts, including those mediated by the African Union and the United States, have failed to yield enforceable results.
The completion of the GERD has reignited fears that the long-standing dispute could escalate beyond diplomacy.
While war remains unlikely, analysts warn that without compromise, the region faces a prolonged period of instability and mistrust over its most precious resource: water.
