Diplomacy
Ethiopia Water Minister Says Country Does Not Need Egypt’s Approval to Build New Dams
Middle East Monitor · 3 hours ago · Read the Full Story on Middle East Monitor
AI SUMMARY
Ethiopian Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa stated that Ethiopia has the sovereign right to construct dams and develop water infrastructure without prior approval from Egypt.
- Ethiopian Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa stated that Ethiopia has the right to build dams without prior approval from Egypt.
- Ethiopia is currently working to complete a major dam on the Magetch River for irrigation and water supply purposes.
- Itefa stated that Ethiopia will continue developing its water infrastructure according to national priorities following the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
- The minister argued that requiring prior approval is inconsistent with modern principles governing the management of Nile waters and that upstream countries have the right to develop their water resources without causing significant harm.
- The remarks followed a social media post published and subsequently deleted by Itefa regarding the construction of Egypt’s Aswan High Dam without Ethiopia’s consent.
- An official source at the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation criticized the comments as reflecting a lack of political balance.
- Egypt maintains that new water projects in Nile Basin countries must not infringe on its water rights and require prior coordination and agreement.
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