In response to recent statements by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed regarding the fifth phase of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdel Aty has formally complained to the United Nations Security Council.
The complaint was submitted on Sunday, expressing Egypt’s firm rejection of Ethiopia’s unilateral actions, which are deemed violations of international law.
Abdel Aty emphasized that Ethiopia’s continued unilateral policies, which contradict the 2015 Declaration of Principles signed by Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia and the Presidential Statement of the Security Council on September 15, 2021, are unacceptable.
He stated that the Ethiopian Prime Minister’s recent comments about storing additional Nile Blue waters this year and advancing the construction of the dam’s concrete structure are completely rejected by Egypt.
These actions, he added, perpetuate tensions with neighboring countries and threaten regional stability, where cooperation and integration should be the focus rather than sowing discord.
The Egyptian letter to the Security Council highlighted that 13 years of negotiations over the GERD have failed due to Ethiopia’s lack of political will to reach a solution.
The negotiations, according to Egypt, have been used by Addis Ababa merely as a cover to entrench its unilateral policies in violation of international law, under the guise of the “right to development.”
Abdel Aty reiterated that Egypt has always supported development in the Nile Basin countries and believes that sustainable development can only be achieved through cooperative practices that adhere to international law and do not harm others.
He warned that Ethiopia’s illegal actions could have severe consequences for Egypt and Sudan, the two downstream countries.
Although Egypt has managed to mitigate some of the negative impacts of Ethiopia’s unilateral actions in recent years, thanks to higher Nile floods and significant efforts by the Egyptian government, the country remains vigilant.
Egypt is prepared to take all necessary measures, as provided by the United Nations Charter, to defend its existence, resources, and interests.
The letter also mentioned that the High Committee on Nile Waters met last week under the chairmanship of the Egyptian Prime Minister.
The committee reaffirmed Egypt’s right to protect its water security and explore all necessary measures to achieve this on various fronts.
It also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation within the Nile Basin, with Egypt advocating for joint efforts to secure funding for development projects in the region.
These projects should be based on internationally agreed cooperative practices that promote prosperity and avoid the risks of tension and shared poverty that could arise from Ethiopia’s uncooperative policies.
