Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, during the UNGA 79 session, asserted that the country will not ignore existential threats posed by Ethiopia’s handling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He emphasized Egypt’s commitment to monitor dam operations while protecting its water rights. The minister criticized Ethiopia’s unilateral actions and the failure of past negotiations, highlighting Egypt’s vulnerability due to severe water shortages and reiterating President El-Sisi’s declaration that Egypt’s water share is a “red line”.
During the recent high-level debate at the General Assembly, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty articulated Egypt’s staunch stance regarding the ongoing conflict over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He emphasized that Egypt would not ignore threats to its existence, particularly in light of Ethiopia’s actions that he described as dismissive of the lives of millions in Egypt and Sudan. Abdelatty reiterated Egypt’s commitment to monitor the developments surrounding the GERD’s filling and operation, asserting that the country reserves the right to take necessary actions to protect its interests in accordance with international law. He condemned Ethiopia’s unilateral actions, which he claimed violate previous agreements such as the Declaration of Principles from 2015 and a 2021 Security Council statement. Egypt’s foreign minister highlighted the challenges the nation faces due to severe water shortages, stressing the importance of the Nile as a critical water source. He accused Ethiopia of deliberately stalling negotiations over the past 13 years, leading to a failure to reach a binding deal intended to safeguard water rights for Egypt and Sudan. Abdelatty noted that despite ongoing efforts, Ethiopia’s strategy of procrastination has hindered progress and threatened the well-being of downstream populations. Emphasizing Egypt’s vulnerability, he quoted President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s declaration that the nation’s water rights are a “red line”. The president has previously warned that any interference in Egypt’s water supply would have serious repercussions for regional stability. Meanwhile, Egyptian officials have characterized Ethiopia’s handling of the dam situation as an exercise of political dominance over the Nile, ultimately undermining cooperative relations among the countries involved. Recent attempts at trilateral negotiations have failed to yield results, largely due to Ethiopia’s resistance to compromise. Minister Abdelatty’s correspondence with the UN Security Council condemned Ethiopia’s provocative actions, asserting that they jeopardize the stability of a region that could otherwise thrive through cooperation and mutual respect.
The article centers on Egypt’s ongoing diplomatic struggle concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which has been a point of contention for years. Egypt heavily relies on the Nile River for its water supply, making the dam’s filling and operation a critical issue for Egyptian water security. Diplomatic efforts between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia have been complicated by Ethiopia’s unilateral actions and the breakdown of negotiations over the dam. The situation has raised concerns not only for water access but also for regional stability in northeastern Africa, which is characterized by intertwined relationships and shared resources between these nations.
In conclusion, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty firmly asserted that the country would not overlook threats posed by Ethiopia’s actions regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Egypt’s historical reliance on the Nile necessitates vigilance in monitoring developments related to the dam and a strong commitment to protect its water rights. The inability to reach a binding agreement over the dam after years of negotiation indicates a critical impasse that could affect regional stability unless addressed collaboratively. Abdelatty’s speech underscores the urgency of diplomatic solutions to a shared challenge faced by Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Original Source: www.egypttoday.com
