Addis Ababa, December 9, 2025 (FMC) – Egyptian Nubian activist Hamdi Suleiman has accused Egyptian media of presenting a “misleading” portrayal of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), arguing that the coverage exaggerates potential threats to Egypt and Sudan.
In an interview with the Fana Arabic podcast, Suleiman said the dam is not located in an earthquake-prone area and primarily serves to generate hydroelectric power, without significantly affecting the flow of Nile water to downstream countries.
Suleiman acknowledged that he initially aligned with the common Egyptian stance opposing the dam, fearing reductions to Egypt’s Nile water share. However, after reviewing available data, he concluded that many of the prevailing fears, including the risk of dam collapse or threats to Egypt’s water security, are “inaccurate.”
He criticized Egyptian media for continuing to perpetuate a narrative that he considers misleading and politically motivated. During his visits to Ethiopia, Suleiman noted a “genuine desire for peace, cooperation, and the establishment of positive relations with Egypt” among Ethiopian officials and communities.
The activist also highlighted what he described as a “problematic perception of African nations by successive Egyptian regimes,” rooted in historical notions of superiority.
He argued that Cairo’s approach to the GERD issue reflects an “outdated colonial mindset,” citing the 1959 Nile water agreement that allocated 55 billion cubic meters to Egypt and 18 billion to Sudan—an agreement that Ethiopia never signed.
Suleiman framed the GERD as more than just an Ethiopian project, calling it an “African project” that represents upstream countries’ sovereignty over their natural resources.
In contrast, he criticized Egypt’s Aswan High Dam for causing large-scale Nubian displacement, altering agricultural lands, spreading diseases, and currently failing to fully meet Egypt’s electricity demands.
On regional politics, Suleiman asserted that Egypt has sought to limit Ethiopia’s access to a sea outlet by influencing its relations with Eritrea and Somalia, viewing Ethiopia’s economic growth as a potential challenge.
He praised the Ethiopian government’s efforts to accelerate development, particularly in agriculture and infrastructure, and expressed hope that Ethiopia’s access to a port would enhance trade and economic growth. He concluded that Ethiopia’s development could have “a positive impact on the entire African continent.”