Egypt, Sudan Affirm Joint Water Security Against Ethiopia Dam Threat

Egypt and Sudan have jointly expressed strong opposition to unilateral actions concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), emphasizing their shared water security as downstream Nile countries. During a high-level meeting under the 2+2 consultation mechanism, both nations reaffirmed their commitment to preserving their water rights according to international law and the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement, while urging Ethiopia to revise its policies and restore regional cooperation. They condemned the GERD as a violation of international law that threatens regional stability and called for a binding trilateral agreement on the dam's filling and operation, which Ethiopia disputes, insisting no such agreement is necessary. Ethiopia, meanwhile, highlights the dam's potential to generate significant revenue and provide renewable energy, asserting it ensures steady water flow and flood prevention downstream. Egypt and Sudan are coordinating their positions in regional and international forums and working with other Nile Basin Initiative states to restore consensus and maintain the initiative as an inclusive cooperation framework benefiting all basin countries. The dispute, ongoing since the dam's construction began in 2011, remains unresolved despite resumed negotiations in 2023.