Ethiopia responds to Egyptian President following remarks against the GERD dam

CAIRO, Oct 14, 2025 – Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said his country is taking all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and water security following the construction and inauguration of Ethiopia's controversial mega-dam on the Nile.

In remarks aired by Ahram Online, Sisi warned that Egypt “will not stand idly by” in the face of what he described as an “irresponsible” management of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

“The confidence Egypt has in diplomacy and our international partners, including the United States, should not be misunderstood as weakness,” Sisi said in a recorded message during the 8th Cairo Water Week.

The long-running dispute between Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan over GERD has raised fears of regional instability, with Cairo repeatedly voicing concerns that the dam would threaten its share of Nile waters.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy did not directly address Sisi’s speech but accused Egypt of continuing its “unconstructive behavior” towards Ethiopia.

“Egypt continues to undermine cooperation by adhering to a colonial-era mentality,” the ministry said, referring to historical agreements Cairo considers binding but Addis Ababa rejects as outdated and unfair.

Tensions have simmered for over a decade over the $4.2 billion hydropower project, which Ethiopia views as vital for its development, while Egypt sees it as a potential existential threat.

GAROWE ONLINE