Addis ababa: Ethiopia’s Ministry of Water and Energy has issued a firm statement reinforcing the nation’s commitment to utilizing its Nile River resources, despite ongoing tensions with Egypt. The statement responds to Egypt’s recent hostile rhetoric regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and emphasizes Ethiopia’s determination to proceed with its developmental goals.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the Ministry criticized Egypt’s colonial-era mindset and its attempts to undermine Ethiopia through misguided policies. The Ministry highlighted Ethiopia’s role as the source of 85 percent of the Nile River and reiterated its right to use the river to meet its water needs. The statement underscored that Ethiopia’s rise is irreversible, regardless of external pressures and adversarial actions.
The Ministry further addressed Egypt’s claims of African solidarity, characterizing them as outdated and symbolic. It argued that genuine solidarity requires recognizing the rights of all Nile Basin countries to equitably utilize the river. The statement condemned Egypt’s pursuit of hegemonic ambitions through unlawful means and its reluctance to engage in fair negotiations with other riparian states.
The Ethiopian government reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful and diplomatic engagement, emphasizing that equitable utilization of the Nile can only be achieved through cooperation and direct dialogue among all concerned parties. The statement also took issue with Egypt’s portrayal of its assistance to Nile Basin countries as insufficient, stressing the need for mutual respect and recognition of each nation’s development rights.
The statement concluded by highlighting Ethiopia’s efforts in environmental conservation and its readiness to maintain friendly relations with Egypt while upholding its rights to utilize the Nile’s resources for the benefit of its people.