Egypt Rejects Ethiopia's Renaissance Dam as 'Illegitimate,' Urging International Legal Compliance

Egypt’s Irrigation Minister Hani Sweilem declared that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is "illegitimate and violates international law, and we cannot recognize it." Sweilem made these statements during a Friday trip to Tanzania to inaugurate the Julius Nyerere Hydroelectric Dam and Power Station, which was built by an Egyptian consortium.

He contrasted the Tanzanian project with the GERD, calling the latter "a bad example of what can happen between upstream and downstream countries when they adopt a unilateral approach that disregards international law." Sweilem stressed that the GERD should not serve as "a dam of harm, conflict, and division among our African brothers and our brothers in the Nile Basin," adding that Egypt maintains positive relations with other Nile Basin nations through developmental cooperation.

"It’s not just about dams," Sweilem stated, explaining that Egypt engages in discussions with African nations regarding dam construction utilizing Egyptian expertise and partial funding. He emphasized that the primary concern centers on respecting international norms and good neighborly relations, areas where he claims the Ethiopian side has fallen short.

While clarifying that Egypt supports the development rights of Nile Basin countries, the minister stated that downstream interests must be protected from unilateral actions. Any future steps involving the Nile River, he noted, require negotiations and a binding agreement ensuring no harm comes to downstream states.

Sweilem reaffirmed Egypt’s dedication to safeguarding its water rights and mentioned that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi remains committed to international law. He also acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resume mediation efforts regarding the Nile water sharing dispute, noting that the GERD continues to be a central focus of Egyptian water policy.