Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has announced the conclusion of 13 years of negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), accusing Ethiopia of using the talks to solidify the status quo as it continues filling the dam’s reservoir. Speaking at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Abdelatty criticized Ethiopia’s unilateral actions, which he said violate international law and agreements signed with Egypt and Sudan.
Abdelatty condemned Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent statements about withholding Blue Nile water and completing the dam’s construction, calling them “unacceptable” and a threat to regional stability. He accused Ethiopia of prolonging negotiations to avoid making concessions, leaving Egypt no choice but to consider other measures to protect its water supply and national interests.
Ethiopia views the $5 billion dam as essential for its electricity generation and economic development, while Egypt fears the project will significantly reduce its Nile water supply, which it relies on for drinking water, agriculture, and power generation. Despite years of talks, key issues such as water allocation and the dam’s filling timeline remain unresolved, heightening tensions between the two nations.