All options on table to protect Nile rights, Egyptian Water Minister warns over GERD

Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, has reiterated his nation's commitment to upholding international law and safeguarding its water security, stating that "all legitimate options" remain on Egypt's table. Sewilam emphasized Egypt's strength as a "peaceful nation" that respects international law, but noted its readiness to respond appropriately to protect its national interests.

He warned that Egypt will not overlook its reliance on the Nile River nor accept what he described as "misconceptions of control and dominance" over water allocations to downstream countries.

Sewilam characterized the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as "unilateral and illegal" based on Egypt's legal perspective on the dam's solitary construction, filling, and operation. He emphasized that the completion of the dam or the passage of time does not mean Egypt accepts the situation, nor does it negate its rights or legal position.

This statement comes amid Cairo's ongoing efforts to negotiate a legally binding agreement governing the GERD's filling and operation, as concerns persist over potential impacts on downstream areas.

In July, the Egyptian Water Ministry revealed that unilateral operations had led to fluctuating discharge rates, exacerbated by the lack of clear operational guidelines and regular data-sharing between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Sewilam cautioned that uncoordinated operations could result in sudden discharge increases—termed "artificial floods"—or sharp declines leading to "artificial droughts," potentially destabilizing water infrastructure and management systems in both Egypt and Sudan.

Sewilam criticized recent Ethiopian statements about controlling downstream water flows, arguing these contradicted earlier claims that the GERD was merely a hydroelectric project and hinted at ambitions to exert sole control over a transboundary river. He stressed that Cairo does not oppose development across the Nile Basin, provided that projects comply with international law and do not endanger Egyptian water security.

The minister highlighted the collaborative approach in the southern Nile Basin, where nations consult and agree on projects before funding and building them, highlighting that Egypt actively supports and finances development under this framework.

In contrast to this cooperative model, Sewilam criticized the GERD's unilateral approach, asserting that Egypt will not permit another "fait accompli" to be imposed on the Eastern Nile River.