At the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty declared that Egypt will not ignore threats posed by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He reiterated that Ethiopia’s unilateral actions endanger Egyptian and Sudanese lives, and emphasized the need for a binding agreement on water rights amidst ongoing tensions over Nile resources.
During the high-level General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly held on 28 September 2024, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, articulated Egypt’s firm stance regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), stating that the nation would not overlook any threats to its existence. Abdelatty emphasized that Ethiopia’s actions concerning the dam jeopardize the lives of Egyptians and Sudanese, asserting, “It is a mistake to think that Egypt will turn a blind eye or tolerate a threat to its existence.” The Minister informed the Assembly that Egypt would keep a vigilant watch on GERD’s operations and filling, while invoking rights endowed by the UN Charter to protect its interests and the welfare of its citizens. He condemned Ethiopia for taking unilateral actions that contravene international law and the 2015 Declaration of Principles agreement, stating that Egypt had engaged in 13 years of unproductive negotiations, which reached an impasse in December 2023 due to Ethiopia’s obstinacy. “Despite Egypt’s sincere efforts, Ethiopia persisted in adopting a policy of procrastination and obstinacy,” he remarked. Egypt holds a critical dependency on the Nile River for water, facing severe shortages with a per capita water supply significantly below the recognized threshold for water scarcity. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi previously described Egypt’s water share as a “red line,” reiterating that meddling with this resource would have repercussions on regional stability. Despite Ethiopia’s claims that the dam benefits downstream nations, Egypt’s Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Hani Sewilam, contended that Ethiopia aims to secure political dominance over the Nile. Recent attempts by Egypt and Sudan to establish a binding agreement with Ethiopia regarding the GERD have proved futile, as Ethiopia unilaterally continues with dam operations without consent. In response to Ethiopia’s provocative actions, Abdelatty sent a letter to the UN Security Council in early September, highlighting the adverse impacts on regional cooperation prompted by such unilateral decisions.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has been a contentious issue between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia for years. With Egypt relying almost entirely on the Nile River for its fresh water supply, the filling and operation of the GERD is viewed as an existential threat. Ethiopia, which proceeds with its dam project asserting it serves its own development needs as well as those of downstream countries, has been accused by Egypt and Sudan of ignoring their water rights and failing to uphold agreed international protocols. Negotiations have stalled over the past decade, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
In summary, Egypt’s firm stance at the UN General Assembly reflects its ongoing concerns regarding the GERD and its implications for national and regional security. The remarks from Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscore Egypt’s determination to protect its vital water supplies while condemning Ethiopia’s unilateral actions. The prolonged failure to reach a binding agreement highlights the underlying complexities and geopolitical tensions surrounding the Nile River, as Egypt continues to prioritize the protection of its water rights against what it perceives as an existential threat.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
