Egypt's Al-Sisi Vows to Defend Nile Waters Amid Ethiopia Dam Dispute

CAIRO, Egypt - Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, the president of Egypt, maintains that his administration shall defend the Nile River waters, in the middle of a major conflict with Ethiopia, following the construction of the Grand Renaissance Dam along the Blue Nile.

For some time, Egypt has accused Ethiopia of artificial reduction of water downstream impacting thousands of livelihoods in the country. Egypt had proposed proportional refilling of the dam, an idea rejected by the government of Ethiopia.

Nile River, Al-Sisi says, provides Egypt's 98% water supply, adding that he will work tirelessly to defend the much-needed resource. He called for persistent political commitment, diplomatic efforts, and cooperation with neighbouring countries to achieve shared goals.

“We have a strong will to organize this event on time despite the great challenges the world is witnessing, given the importance of discussing the field of water resources and in light of water scarcity and water scarcity for natural and human reasons and factors, in addition to giant projects to exploit international rivers," he said during Water Week conference in Cairo.

The Cairo Water Week coincided with African Water Week celebrations in the continent. Egypt has been pushing for diplomatic solutions for the current standoff with Ethiopia.

“In light of Egypt’s deep commitment to its African identity, Egypt has adopted many continental initiatives and programmes related to water. Egypt’s current presidency of the Council of African Ministers of Water reaffirms this commitment, as Egypt seeks through this presidency to enhance regional cooperation in the field of water and support the efforts of member states to achieve sustainable development goals related to water,” he added.

Egypt is strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of water with many African countries, especially the Nile Basin countries, where it is implementing various projects with pure Egyptian funding, such as drilling wells, removing weeds from waterways, establishing rain forecasting centres, rehabilitating ports, and building rain harvesting dams.

To further pile pressure on Ethiopia, Egypt has vowed to protect Somalia waters after Ethiopia signed a sea access deal with Somaliland, a breakaway region of Somalia. Egypt also signed a defence pact with Somalia under the same arrangement.

GAROWE ONLINE