Egypt announced on Sunday its decision to suspend participation in the negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam due to Ethiopia’s intransigence and failure to reach a compromise.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, during his attendance at a meeting of Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers along with Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco in Riyadh, stated that Ethiopia focuses solely on its individual interests without considering the basic principles of good neighborliness.
This has led Egypt to cease its involvement in the negotiations, which have not yielded tangible results as long as Ethiopia continues its current approach.
Shoukry’s discussions with his Gulf counterparts also covered threats to navigation security in the Red Sea and the situations in Libya, Sudan, Syria, and Somalia.
Additionally, Shoukry briefed his counterparts on the latest developments regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Ethiopia’s obstinate approach, prompting Egypt to halt its participation in the talks.
Jassem Al-Budaiwi, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, reiterated the council’s stance that Egypt and Sudan’s water security is an integral part of Arab national security.
The council also rejects any actions that infringe upon the two countries’ rights to Nile waters.
It’s worth noting that the last round of negotiations between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia in Addis Ababa in December concluded without any agreement, due to Ethiopia’s continued rejection of technical and legal solutions that would safeguard the interests of all three countries.
Egypt has stated that Ethiopia’s intentions to continue unilateral actions concerning the dam have become evident, exploiting the negotiations to legitimize its actions on the ground and seeking to gain approval for its absolute control over the Blue Nile, disregarding international law.
Egypt reserves the right to defend its water and national security should it be threatened, as Ethiopia completed its fourth reservoir filling last September and plans for the fifth in June.
