Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi expressed gratitude for Donald Trump’s offer to mediate the ongoing dispute over the Nile River’s water resources with Ethiopia. This development comes as both nations grapple with a decades-long conflict concerning water security, particularly intensified by the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
In a letter to El-Sisi on October 23, 2020, Trump stated he was “ready to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of ‘The Nile Water Sharing’ once and for all.” Following this, El-Sisi affirmed Egypt’s support for Trump’s initiative, underscoring the Nile as “the lifeline of the Egyptian people.”
The dispute over Nile waters escalated significantly in September 2020, coinciding with Ethiopia’s commencement of the $5 billion GERD project. Egypt has voiced concerns regarding the potential reduction of water flows downstream, fearing that an expedited filling of the dam could violate international treaties and jeopardize its water supply. With nearly all of Egypt’s fresh water sourced from the Nile, the country is particularly vulnerable to changes in water availability.
Ethiopia, on the other hand, is determined to utilize the dam as a cornerstone of its ambition to become a major power exporter, as the nation seeks to harness hydroelectric power to fuel its growth. With a population exceeding 120 million, Ethiopia views the dam as essential for its development goals. The ongoing tensions have led both countries to hint at military options to safeguard their interests, raising concerns among experts about the potential for conflict should negotiations break down.
El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s commitment to “serious and constructive cooperation” with Nile Basin countries, emphasizing the importance of international law in achieving mutual interests without harming any party involved. This approach reflects a desire for diplomatic solutions rather than escalating tensions.
On the same day, Sudan’s army leader, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, endorsed Trump’s mediation offer, signaling regional support for U.S. involvement in resolving the dispute. Trump’s past interactions with El-Sisi, including discussions during a trip to Egypt in October 2020, have highlighted the U.S. administration’s alignment with Cairo’s concerns regarding the water issue.
In a controversial statement during his first term, Trump had predicted that Egypt might resort to drastic measures, suggesting, “They’ll blow up that dam. And they have to do something.” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed responded at the time, asserting that Ethiopia would not submit to aggression.
In a related move, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry indicated that El-Sisi is considering an invitation from Trump to join a “Board of Peace” for Gaza, which forms part of the U.S. administration’s broader plans for peace in the region.
As the situation evolves, the international community will be closely monitoring the outcomes of the proposed mediation and its implications for regional stability.
