Addis Ababa, October 13, 2025 (FMC) – Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy has strongly condemned recent statements by Egyptian officials regarding the Nile River and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), condemning what it described as a “hostile and belligerent approach” by Egypt.
In a press statement issued today, the ministry criticized Egypt for using a high-level gathering to promote “unlawful and hegemonic ambitions” over the Nile River basin.
The statement noted that Egyptian officials claimed to have demonstrated African solidarity by providing “development projects that include drilling solar-powered groundwater wells [and] establishing rainwater harvesting facilities” to Nile Basin countries.
Ethiopia dismissed this characterization as a “skewed interpretation of African solidarity,” emphasizing that genuine solidarity requires recognition of the right of all nations to development and fair, equitable use of shared resources. “In Egypt’s limited view, Nile Basin countries are mere recipients of symbolic assistance and should be content with modest initiatives,” the statement said.
The ministry accused Egypt of maintaining a colonial-era mindset and pursuing a policy aimed at undermining Ethiopia rather than fostering cooperation. Ethiopia, it stressed, is the source of 85 percent of the Nile’s waters and will not abandon its right to utilize the river to meet its water needs. “Ethiopia’s rise is a reality that cannot be reversed despite machinations, proxy shenanigans, and ill-conceived attempts by its adversaries,” the statement added.
According to the ministry, Ethiopia and other Nile riparian countries have engaged Egypt for decades in pursuit of transboundary cooperation rooted in international law. However, Egypt has allegedly failed to negotiate in good faith during trilateral discussions on the GERD’s first filling, its annual operation, and the Nile River Basin Cooperative Framework (CFA), the only basin-wide treaty of the Nile.
The statement also criticized Egypt’s claims of “historic rights,” describing them as self-serving and rooted in colonial-era agreements. It accused Egypt of engaging in “illegal, reckless, and water-wasting practices,” including out-of-basin water diversion without consultation or notification to other riparian states.
Ethiopia stressed that resolving Nile issues requires direct engagement among concerned parties, and that water security can only be achieved through equitable and reasonable utilization by all riparian states. The GERD, the statement noted, is one of several development projects in the upper Nile region, and Ethiopia urged Egypt to engage on equal terms, in good faith, and without threats, insults, or subversive actions.
The ministry rejected what it called Egypt’s tendency to exaggerate crises, from claims of drought to fears of flooding, adding that Sudan and Ethiopia maintain effective coordination on the GERD to advance shared development.
Highlighting its expertise in dam construction and management, Ethiopia reaffirmed that the GERD operates under the highest professional standards. It also noted the impact of its Green Legacy Initiative afforestation drive on the GERD as an example of positive, environmentally conscious development.
Ethiopia concluded the statement by emphasizing its commitment to diplomacy and friendly relations with Egypt, asserting that it has never initiated conflicts or issued unwarranted aggressive statements.