Ethiopia Accuses Arab League of Bias Toward Egypt in Nile Dam Dispute

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia has sharply criticized the Arab League, accusing it of siding with Egypt in the long-running dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and undermining Ethiopia’s right to use its own natural resources.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ambassador Suleiman Dedefo questioned the neutrality and purpose of the Arab League, implying that it has become an extension of Egyptian foreign policy.

“Is this truly a League of Arab Nations, or merely an instrument executing Egypt’s anti-Ethiopia policy?” he wrote.

The ambassador’s remarks reflect growing frustration in Addis Ababa over the Arab League’s repeated statements backing Egypt’s position on the Nile River, particularly as Ethiopia continues work on its massive hydroelectric project.

“The League has overlooked the conflicts, displacement, and famine affecting its member states while obsessively targeting Ethiopia’s development of its own water resources,” Mr. Dedefo added.

He also challenged the legitimacy of the Arab League’s involvement in the dam issue, asking, “What legal or moral right does it have to tell Ethiopia it must seek Egypt’s approval to benefit from its natural wealth?”

The comments come as diplomatic tensions remain high between Egypt and Ethiopia, with both sides lobbying for international support in the Nile water dispute. Egypt views the GERD as a threat to its water security, while Ethiopia insists the dam is vital for its energy and economic needs.

Many say the ambassador’s unusually blunt language may further complicate efforts to mediate the dispute, which has drawn in regional players and major powers alike.

GAROWE ONLINE