Ethiopia completes disputed Nile dam, invites Egypt and Sudan to inauguration
Addis Ababa urges cooperation as tensions persist over water rights and dam operations
ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (MNTV) — Ethiopia announced Thursday that it has completed construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the massive and long-contested project at the heart of a decade-long dispute with Egypt and Sudan over Nile River water rights.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told parliament that Ethiopia would hold an official inauguration ceremony after the rainy season, and extended formal invitations to Egypt and Sudan to attend.
“Any harm to Egypt or Sudan is harm to Ethiopia itself,” Abiy said in a televised address. “Not a single drop of water will be reduced from the [Aswan] High Dam.”
Now Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam, GERD has been hailed by Ethiopia as a vital engine of development and energy independence. But Egypt and Sudan — both downstream nations — have warned that the dam threatens their water security, particularly if Ethiopia proceeds without a binding agreement on how the dam is filled and operated.
Despite Abiy’s diplomatic overture, Ethiopia has reportedly increased security around the dam in recent weeks. Regional sources say special forces and new defense systems have been deployed at the site, underscoring ongoing concerns about potential threats.
Egypt, which depends on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater supply, has consistently demanded a legally enforceable deal that guarantees its water share. Sudan, too, has voiced alarm over the dam’s potential impact on its water systems and dam safety.
Abiy reiterated that Ethiopia remains open to negotiations and emphasized regional unity. “We are not enemies,” he said. “We are neighbors. Let us work together.”
His remarks come amid shifting dynamics in Nile Basin diplomacy. In 2024, South Sudan joined the Cooperative Framework Agreement — known as the Entebbe Agreement — reviving a stalled treaty and paving the way for a Nile Basin Commission that could reshape future water governance in the region.
Analysts say the GERD’s completion could either foster greater integration or intensify regional tensions, depending on how the next round of talks unfolds.
We must take charge of our narrative. Research indicates that 92% of their Muslim coverage is negative. Help us change that.
Have Your Say!
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story? Please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@soundvision.com.
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a Muslim Network TV’s representative. You can also get in touch in the following ways:
Tweet: @MuslimNetworkTV
