Egypt Expresses Anger as Ethiopia Announces Completion of Filling controversial Dam

Egypt has voiced its strong disapproval following Ethiopia’s announcement that it has successfully filled the reservoir at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), situated on the Blue Nile River. This move has escalated an ongoing dispute between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, as Egypt heavily depends on the Nile for almost all of its water needs.

The tension surrounding the megaproject, which has been in development since its launch in 2011, has reached new heights.

On Sunday, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed made the announcement via social media, stating, “It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Renaissance Dam.”

He acknowledged the challenges faced during the project’s development, both internally and externally, but affirmed Ethiopia’s commitment to its completion. The dam began generating electricity in February 2022.

However, Egypt, in a statement issued by its foreign ministry, accused Ethiopia of disregarding the interests of downstream countries, raising concerns over its water security.

Ethiopia views the $4.2 billion GERD as a crucial project that will double the country’s electricity output, offering a significant boost to development. Currently, around half of Ethiopia’s 127 million population lacks access to electricity. The dam is designed to produce more than 6,000 megawatts of power and is located approximately 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Sudan’s border.

However, Egypt and Sudan have consistently raised concerns over the GERD’s potential impact on their water supply. They have called for the establishment of common rules governing the operation of the dam to address these concerns, fearing that Ethiopia’s energy needs might exacerbate their existing water shortages.

Negotiations regarding the dam had resumed only last month after being suspended in 2021. Sudan, currently embroiled in conflict between rival factions, has yet to respond to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s announcement.

In a statement posted on Facebook, Egypt’s foreign ministry criticized Ethiopia’s “unilateral” filling of the reservoir, characterizing it as a violation of a 2015 declaration of principles signed by all three countries. The declaration emphasized the necessity of reaching an agreement on the rules for filling and operating the GERD before initiating the filling process.

Egypt’s statement declared, “Ethiopia’s unilateral measures are considered a disregard for the interests and rights of the downstream countries and their water security, as guaranteed by principles of international law.”

The development marks another concerning chapter in the ongoing dispute over the GERD, with potential ramifications for water security and regional stability in the Nile basin.