Egypt Warns All Options Open to Protect Nile Rights Amid GERD Dispute

Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam has strongly reaffirmed that his country retains all measures guaranteed under international law to safeguard its vital water security, emphasizing that all legitimate options remain on Cairo’s table.

Speaking on the ongoing tensions, Sewilam described Egypt as a strong nation of peace that firmly upholds international law, while warning that the country knows precisely when and how to respond appropriately to protect its core national interests. He stressed that Cairo will neither ignore its heavy dependence on the Nile nor accept any illusions of control and dominance over water flows to downstream states.

The minister explained that categorizing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as unilateral and illegal reflects a steadfast political position rooted in Egypt's legal view regarding the dam’s solo construction, filling, and operation. He added that the completion of construction or the passage of time does not imply Egypt’s acceptance of a done deal, nor does it extinguish its historical rights or legal standing.

This firm stance comes as Cairo continues to push for a binding legal agreement governing the filling and operation of the GERD amid persistent concerns over downstream impacts. In July, the Water Ministry disclosed that solo operations had led to fluctuating discharge rates, exacerbated by the absence of clear operational rules and routine data-sharing mechanisms among Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Sewilam further warned that uncoordinated operations could trigger sudden discharge shifts—causing either acute spikes, termed artificial floods, or sharp drops leading to artificial droughts—potentially destabilizing water infrastructure and dam management across Egypt and Sudan.

Addressing the shifting narratives surrounding the project, Sewilam criticized recent Ethiopian statements regarding the control of downstream water flows, arguing they contradict past assertions that the GERD is merely a hydroelectric project and reveal ambitions to enforce single-handed control over a transboundary river.

At the same time, the minister emphasized that Cairo does not oppose genuine development across the Nile Basin, provided such projects align with international law and preserve Egyptian water security. He highlighted the collaborative approach in the southern Nile Basin—where nations study, notify, and consult on projects prior to funding and execution—noting Egypt actively supports and helps finance development under this cooperative framework. Contrasting this with the GERD’s unilateral approach, Sewilam asserted that Cairo will not allow a new fait accompli to be imposed on the Eastern Nile.