Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam stated that Cairo will take all measures guaranteed by international law to protect its water security amid stalled negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Speaking during a meeting with international and foreign media representatives accredited in Egypt, Sewilam emphasized that the country relies on the Nile River for 98 percent of its needs and faces severe water poverty.
Did You Know? Egypt signed the Declaration of Principles in 2011 as an attempt by Egypt and Sudan to address the unilateral decision made by Ethiopia to build the dam without a binding agreement.
Ethiopian Statements and Water Control Intentions
According to Sewilam, recent remarks by the Ethiopian Minister of Water regarding water control exposed true intentions behind the construction of the dam on the Blue Nile. Responding to a question from a Sky News Arabia reporter, Sewilam stated that the primary objective of the dam is not electricity generation, calling the statements a dangerous admission regarding the control of water reaching Egypt and Sudan. He added that the remarks are currently under close review by relevant authorities.
Legal Status and International Law
Sewilam asserted that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam remains illegal under international law because Ethiopia failed to follow proper legal procedures. He noted that while Egypt respects international law to determine how and when to respond to potential harms, the sheer size of the massive structure—which controls 150 percent of the river’s volume—makes a legally binding agreement nearly impossible to reach.
Expert Insight: Managing transboundary rivers requires transparent data-sharing and binding legal frameworks. When upstream mega-projects operate outside of formal agreements, downstream nations face acute vulnerabilities during prolonged drought cycles that demand rigorous basin-wide management.
Population Pressures and Regional Cooperation
Egypt currently hosts millions of citizens alongside many refugees who share the nation’s water consumption, according to the ministry. With no increase in overall water volume, per capita water share has dropped below 500 cubic meters annually. Meanwhile, Sewilam noted that Cairo maintains roughly 25 memoranda of understanding and cooperation agreements with Nile Basin countries, stressing that Egypt is not opposed to building dams generally, but strictly rejects unilateral actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of Egypt’s water comes from the Nile River?
Egypt relies on the Nile River for 98 percent of its water needs.
Why does Egypt consider the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam illegal?
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, Ethiopia did not follow any procedures required by international law when constructing the dam.
How many people currently share water consumption in Egypt?
The country supports numerous citizens and refugees who share the available water resources.
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