Egypt backs Ethiopian development, but warns against harming downstream nations

Egypt affirms its support for Ethiopia's development initiatives, but with a crucial caveat: such progress must not come at the expense of downstream countries. This stance, articulated by Professor of Geology and Water Resources at Cairo University, Abbas Sharaki, underscores the deep-seated tensions surrounding water resource management in the Nile basin.

The professor's comments arrive as Ethiopia's Minister of Water recently signaled the country's intent to construct additional dams. These statements have predictably stirred controversy, particularly given the protracted and unresolved disputes between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The absence of a legally binding agreement governing the GERD's operation and management continues to fuel regional anxieties.

Sharaki's remarks highlight Egypt's position: while development is welcomed, it cannot proceed if it jeopardizes the water security of nations reliant on the Nile's flow. This delicate balance remains a significant point of contention, with the lack of a comprehensive, enforceable agreement leaving the future of water sharing uncertain and potentially volatile.

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Egypt supports development in Ethiopia, but not if it harms downstream nations.