**The Nile Challenge: The Thorny Issue of the Ethiopian Dam Seen from Egypt**
For several years, Egypt has been facing a real geopolitical headache with the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) by Ethiopia. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recently stressed the importance of the discussions and consultations conducted by his country to find solutions to this dispute. He also highlighted the efforts made by Egypt to improve and treat water on its territory, with significant investments exceeding 400 billion Egyptian pounds.
The issue of water is vital for Egypt, whose supply depends largely on the Nile. Technological advances such as advanced triple water treatment plants like the one in Bahr el-Baqar are essential to ensure an adequate supply of water for the country’s population and agriculture.
In the face of growing tensions with Ethiopia, Egypt has stressed its rejection of Ethiopia’s unilateral policies regarding the GERD, calling them violations of international law. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent statements regarding the fifth filling of the dam have drawn a strong reaction from Egypt, which has expressed its categorical rejection of these unilateral policies.
Ethiopia seems to seek to justify these policies by hiding behind unfounded allegations about the people’s right to development. However, Egypt remains vigilant and determined to defend its interests and find diplomatic solutions to this crucial dispute.
The Nile region is the cradle of ancient civilizations and the issue of water remains a major challenge for Egypt and the riparian countries. Cooperation and dialogue between nations are essential to ensure equitable and sustainable management of the Nile’s water resources, while respecting the rights and interests of each party.
In this complex context, Egypt plays a leading role in finding peaceful and sustainable solutions to the challenges related to the river. Dialogue and cooperation are the keys to addressing these challenges and ensuring a prosperous future for future generations in the Nile region.