We reject any unilateral actions over GERD, says Egyptian Foreign Minister

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said that the Nile water issue is an existential one for Egypt, stressing Cairo’s rejection to any unilateral actions taken by Ethiopia regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), given the potential impact on the interests of downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan. In statements to the pan Arab Al-Arabiya channel, Abdelatty stressed that Egypt and Sudan have not yet received any studies concerning safety standards or the environmental impacts of the Ethiopian dam. The management of transboundary rivers is governed by clear rules in international law, he said, and unilateral decisions regarding them are impermissible. The Foreign Minister explained that Ethiopia has unilaterally begun operating the dam recently, and warned that these are actions inconsistent with the legal frameworks regulating the use of shared water resources. He noted that these actions have created risks that have affected downstream countries, particularly Sudan. Abdelatty added that unilateral actions regarding water impounding or dam operation without coordination have led to negative repercussions, including impacts on water levels and damage in some areas within the downstream countries. The Foreign Minister reiterated that Egypt does not oppose Ethiopia’s right to development, but at the same time insists on the necessity of respecting the water rights of Egypt and Sudan, saying: “Ethiopia has the right to development, and we have the right to life.” Back to top button