Ankara: Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly urged his Ethiopian counterpart, Abiy Ahmed, to finalize an agreement concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to ensure no harm comes to Egypt. The remarks were made during a press conference in Egypt, broadcast by the Prime Minister's office on Facebook.
According to Anadolu Agency, Madbouly's statements followed a query about his meeting with Ahmed at the BRICS economic summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from July 6-7. He described a group photo with heads of state and government, noting that Egypt was seated next to Ethiopia and Iran, which led to a cropped image focusing on the Egyptian and Ethiopian leaders.
Madbouly emphasized Egypt's commitment to maintaining diplomatic relations based on mutual respect with all countries, particularly in Africa. He reiterated Egypt's stance on not opposing development in other nations, provided it does not infringe on Egypt's Nile water rights. The meeting with Ahmed comes amid ongoing tensions over Ethiopia's reluctance to sign an agreement on the dam's filling and operation.
He noted that Ahmed reaffirmed during the BRICS summit that Ethiopia would complete the GERD without harming Egypt or Sudan and invited the two countries to collaborate further. Madbouly highlighted the importance of translating these declarations into a written agreement to safeguard the future relationship between Nile Basin countries.
Madbouly reiterated Egypt's unchanged position: ensuring no harm to its Nile water share and the necessity of a written framework for the dam's operation to protect the rights of current and future generations.
Recently, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam expressed doubts regarding Ethiopia's calls for dialogue, as stated by the Egyptian Ministry of Irrigation. Concurrently, Ahmed announced plans to inaugurate the GERD in September, expressing Ethiopia's willingness to continue dialogue, framing the project as an opportunity for regional cooperation.
Construction of the GERD began in 2011, with Ethiopia financing most of the $4.2 billion project. The dam has been a diplomatic flashpoint, especially with Egypt, which fears reduced water flows could impact its Nile water share. Despite numerous negotiations under the African Union and international mediation, a legally binding agreement on water management remains elusive.