Egypt's Water Resources and Irrigation Minister Hani Sweilam has emphasized that Egypt cannot bear the risks of decisions taken upstream without agreed safeguards. He made this statement during a briefing for foreign correspondents in Cairo, stressing that Egypt's success in managing its scarce water supplies does not give Ethiopia a free hand over the river. Sweilam's comments come as a warning to Addis Ababa, which has been constructing the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
The completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has not settled the disagreements over its operation, with Egypt and Sudan still needing dependable arrangements governing releases, information exchange, and drought management. These issues will persist for the lifetime of the project, and Egypt's ability to withstand pressure should not be confused with a willingness to accept the conditions that create it. According to Sweilam, more than 98% of Egypt's renewable water resources originate beyond its borders, with an annual availability of about 472 cubic meters per person, below the threshold for absolute water scarcity.
A farmer in Egypt cannot postpone a crop's need for water until a diplomatic disagreement is resolved, and those managing Egypt's reservoirs and irrigation system cannot plan effectively without reliable information and commitments from upstream. Sweilam warned that uncoordinated operation of the dam had demonstrated its capacity to cause abrupt increases or reductions in flows, raising the risk of "artificial floods" or "artificial droughts". Downstream countries should not be left to discover consequential operating decisions through changes in the water reaching them.
Ethiopia's pursuit of electricity and better living standards does not justify disregarding the requirements for coordinated operation of the dam. Egypt has an equally compelling responsibility to protect the supplies on which its population depends, and any workable agreement must accommodate both countries' needs. Sweilam criticized Ethiopian statements about controlling water supplies to downstream countries, describing such language as inviting the conclusion that the dam is being treated as a means of exercising power over neighbors.
Egypt continues to meet its domestic responsibilities by improving water efficiency, maintaining infrastructure, and addressing waste, regardless of the dispute. Sweilam reported that annual water reuse in Egypt stands at about 23.2 billion cubic meters, with investments in treatment, monitoring, forecasting, and management of the High Dam's reserves. These efforts require significant resources, but do not release Ethiopia from the need to coordinate decisions affecting downstream supplies.
Egypt has also launched a financing mechanism with initial funding of $100 million for projects reflecting Nile Basin countries' priorities, and its cooperation projects are valued at more than $120 million, covering wells, water facilities, flood protection, and other work. Cairo continues to support Nile Basin countries through water projects, infrastructure development, and technical assistance, demonstrating its commitment to regional cooperation and development.
Sweilam accused Ethiopia of opposing further consultations over the Cooperative Framework Agreement at the ministerial meetings in February 2026, and emphasized the need for a permanent institution for the basin that includes the participation and confidence of all countries. African institutions should use the commitments embodied in Africa Water Vision 2063 to help keep consultations open and secure practical agreements, with Egypt insisting on a concrete outcome: agreed operating rules for the Ethiopian dam, provisions for drought years, regular data exchange, and advance notification of consequential changes in releases.
Key points
- Egypt cannot accept unilateral control of the Nile River without agreed safeguards.
- The completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam has not settled the disagreements over its operation.
- Egypt has launched a financing mechanism to support Nile Basin countries' priorities.
