Egypt declares Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam illegal

Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, has declared the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) illegal, asserting that Cairo reserves the right to take necessary measures to protect its water security.

Speaking during a briefing for foreign media in Cairo, Sewilam stated that Egypt has provided Ethiopia with numerous opportunities to reach an understanding, but those efforts have been met with non-compliance. He emphasized that the completion of the dam does not constitute an acceptance of the status quo or a waiver of Egypt's rights, noting that Cairo will utilize all legal avenues provided by international law.

Sewilam highlighted that the 2015 Declaration of Principles was intended as a roadmap for cooperation, including agreements on initial filling, annual operation, and data exchange. He argued that Ethiopia's unilateral actions in continuing to fill and operate the dam without a binding agreement violate these commitments.

The Minister warned that uncoordinated dam operations could lead to sudden surges or sharp decreases in water flows, negatively impacting dams in both Egypt and Sudan. He stressed that the core issue for Egypt is the timing, quantity, and management rules of water arrival, rather than just electricity generation.