Egypt has vowed to safeguard the Nile River amidst escalating tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Renaissance Dam project. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has called for equitable negotiations that benefit all countries while defending Somalia’s sovereignty against Ethiopian threats. His statements also criticize the international community’s inaction regarding Israeli aggression.
Egypt has firmly committed to safeguarding the waters of the Nile River amid escalated tensions arising from Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD). During official statements, Badr Abdelatty, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, emphasized that the protection of the Nile is intrinsically linked to the preservation of Somalia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He articulated Egypt’s stance on negotiating the water disputes, highlighting the necessity of equitable resource management that ensures the benefit of all affected nations without jeopardizing the interests of those situated downstream. Abdelatty accused Ethiopia of acting outside of international legal frameworks and of initiating significant infrastructural projects without prior consultation with the nations that share the Nile’s waters. He warned, “Anyone who thinks Egypt will compromise on any existential threat is mistaken,” thus underscoring the seriousness with which Egypt regards the implications of Ethiopia’s dam project. Moreover, he expressed concern regarding recent Ethiopian actions that may undermine Somalia’s sovereignty, expanding the scope of Egypt’s foreign policy to include protective measures for its northeastern neighbor. Abdelatty also called attention to global political dynamics, questioning the international community’s response to both the ongoing Palestinian crisis and the Israeli military actions. He asserted the urgent need for reform in the United Nations system to adequately tackle contemporary international challenges, stating, “Israel’s brutal aggression in Gaza and the West Bank has exposed the weakness and double standards of the international community,” thereby indicating a lapse in multilateral accountability. Abdelatty mentioned ongoing efforts by Egypt and Qatar to mediate peace negotiations, which he claimed have faced obstructions from Israeli representatives. As a member of the Arab League, Egypt continues its proactive role in the geopolitics of the region, particularly in defending not only its own interests but also those of Somalia against perceived Ethiopian threats.
The Nile River, vital for multiple countries in northeastern Africa, has been a center of conflict primarily between Egypt and Ethiopia due to the latter’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The dam, which Ethiopia asserts was built for economic development and energy generation, has raised alarm in Egypt and Sudan, both downstream nations that depend heavily on the Nile for water. This ongoing dispute has further implications concerning regional stability and has compelled Egypt to articulate its foreign policy not only in terms of its own water security but also in relation to its neighbors, including Somalia, which faces similar Ethiopian threats.
In conclusion, Egypt has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Nile waters amid rising tensions with Ethiopia, particularly surrounding the GERD. Minister Badr Abdelatty’s statements reflect a dual focus on Egyptian national interests and regional solidarity with Somalia against Ethiopia. He highlighted the necessity for equitable dialogue over shared resources, while simultaneously criticizing the international community’s inaction regarding global conflicts, particularly in relation to Israeli actions in Gaza. Egypt’s active mediation efforts and calls for reform within the UN underscore its strategic positioning within Arab and African geopolitics.
Original Source: www.garoweonline.com