Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, asserted at UNGA 79 that Egypt will not tolerate threats to its existence from Ethiopia’s actions regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He emphasized the need for a binding agreement to secure water rights, citing Ethiopia’s unilateral actions and ongoing disregard for international law, which threaten regional stability and Egypt’s water security.
During the high-level General Debate of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79) on September 28, 2024, Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, vehemently expressed Egypt’s position regarding the ongoing dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He firmly stated that Egypt would not overlook any threats to its existence, emphasizing that Ethiopia’s actions have endangered the lives of both Egyptian and Sudanese populations. Abdelatty criticized Ethiopia for ignoring international law and the previous agreements delineated in the Declaration of Principles of 2015 and the Security Council’s Presidential Statement from 2021. He highlighted that despite 13 years of unsuccessful negotiations—culminating in December 2023, Egypt found Ethiopia continuing unilateral actions that threaten the water rights of downstream nations. Given Egypt’s acute dependence on the Nile River, which supplies the nation with approximately 550 cubic meters of water per person annually, well below the water scarcity threshold, the GERD is perceived as an existential threat to its water security. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has declared Egypt’s water share as a non-negotiable ‘red line.’ Abdelatty denounced Ethiopia’s strategy of deferring negotiations and imposing facts on the ground as detrimental to regional stability. Amidst these concerns, Egypt has sought a legally binding agreement with Ethiopia regarding the GERD to ensure water rights protection. However, negotiations have stalled due to Ethiopia’s consistent refusal to accept middle-ground solutions. In his recent communications, Abdelatty condemned Ethiopia’s provocations, underscoring the need for collaboration among nations sharing common ties and destinies instead of fostering division.
The ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has escalated tensions between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, particularly concerning water rights and regional stability. The Nile River is a critical water source for Egypt, which faces severe water scarcity, raising concerns that the dam could significantly undermine its water supply. Egypt has been engaged in a prolonged negotiation process with Ethiopia, seeking to establish an agreement that would safeguard its water rights amid Ethiopia’s unilateral actions in filling and operating the dam. The conflict has broader implications for regional cooperation and stability, particularly as countries strive to navigate the complex interplay of shared resources and historical grievances.
In conclusion, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty has made it clear that Egypt will not be passive regarding threats posed by Ethiopia’s actions surrounding the GERD. The situation reflects deep-rooted tensions over water rights critical to the survival of millions in both Egypt and Sudan. As negotiations stall and Ethiopia continues unilateral operations of the dam, the potential for conflict looms while Egypt asserts its commitment to protecting its water interests. The challenges in achieving a collaborative solution underscore the complexities of managing shared resources in a politically sensitive region.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
