Egypt Rejects Plans for New Ethiopian Dams on the Nile.

Egypt has declared that it will not accept the construction of any new Ethiopian dams on the Nile River, amid continuing disagreements over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

Speaking at a press briefing in Cairo, Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, said reports suggesting Ethiopia intends to build three additional dams on the Nile have raised serious concerns. Although Ethiopia has not officially confirmed the reports, Sewilam stressed that Egypt opposes any further dam projects that could affect its water security.

The minister reiterated Egypt's demand for a legally binding agreement that regulates the filling and operation of the GERD. He said such an agreement should include a transparent mechanism for sharing operational data with downstream countries, particularly Egypt and Sudan.

According to Sewilam, the absence of reliable information on water releases makes it difficult for Sudan to manage its own dams and water resources effectively. He argued that any resulting disruptions should not be blamed on Sudan but on the lack of cooperation over data sharing.

Egypt maintains that a binding agreement would protect the interests of all countries that depend on the Nile while reducing the risks associated with managing shared water resources.

Ethiopia has consistently maintained that the GERD will not cause significant harm to downstream nations and has argued that a legally binding agreement is unnecessary. Ethiopian authorities had not responded to the Egyptian minister's latest remarks at the time of reporting.

The dispute over the GERD has continued for more than a decade. Construction of the massive hydroelectric dam began in 2011, and negotiations involving Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia have repeatedly stalled despite several attempts to reach a lasting agreement.

The Nile River stretches approximately 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles) and is shared by 11 African countries, making cooperation over its waters a critical regional issue.

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