Egyptian Irrigation Minister: GERD is illegitimate and we’ll not recognize It
Egypt’s Irrigation Minister Hani Sweilem said that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is “illegitimate and violates international law, and we cannot recognize it.” Sweilem’s remarks came during a trip to Tanzania on Friday to inaugurate the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Dam and Power Station, constructed by an Egyptian consortium. He noted how the Tanzanian dam … The post Egyptian…
Egyptian Irrigation Minister Hani Sweilem declared the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to be "illegitimate and in violation of international law," refusing to recognize its existence. The statement was made during Sweilem's visit to Tanzania, where he inaugurated a hydroelectric dam built by an Egyptian team. Sweilem contrasted the GERD with the Tanzanian dam, saying the latter serves as a negative example of unilateral actions disregarding international law between upstream and downstream nations.
He emphasized that the GERD poses a threat to Egypt and other African countries in the Nile Basin, causing harm, conflict, and division. Sweilem stressed Egypt's opposition to the GERD, as it is the only nation in the Nile Basin against its construction. He reiterated that Egypt is open to cooperation with other Nile Basin countries on development projects, but insists that any new dams or unilateral actions could harm downstream countries must be negotiated and agreed upon by all parties.
Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reaffirmed the country's commitment to international law and protecting its water rights, while expressing hope for US President Donald Trump's offer to resume mediation in resolving the Nile water sharing crisis.
Written by urgent.news from Egypt Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
