Ethiopia urges Egypt to stop “weakening” African states as Nile dam dispute resurfaces

ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia on Wednesday urged Egypt to halt what it described as efforts to “create weak and vulnerable states” in Africa, escalating a long-running war of words between the two countries over regional influence and the Nile dam dispute.

In a statement, Ethiopia’s foreign ministry accused Cairo of “actively working to undermine countries in Southern Africa,” without offering specific evidence. The ministry said Ethiopia would “not accept pressure or misinformation campaigns” related to its development projects, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The remarks came after Egypt’s foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, told the BBC’s Focus on Africa program that Cairo had suspended talks with Ethiopia on the dam because they had produced “no results.”

“We tried for 13 years but achieved nothing,” Abdelatty said. “It has been a year since we stopped the negotiations without reaching any outcome.”

Abdelatty said Egypt sought a “mutually beneficial, cooperative agreement,” but accused Ethiopia of building and operating the massive hydropower dam unilaterally.

“Ethiopia constructed and filled the dam on its own terms. This is not legal. It contradicts international law,” he said.

The latest exchange underscores the enduring tensions between the two countries, with Ethiopia insisting the dam is essential for its development and electricity needs, while Egypt fears the project will threaten its historic share of Nile waters.

GAROWE ONLINE