On Thursday, July 3, 2025, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources, Hani Sewilam, has firmly rejected Ethiopia’s unilateral completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), describing it as a violation of international law and prior agreements.
He criticized Ethiopia for proceeding with the final stages of the dam without securing a legally binding agreement with downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan.
Sewilam argued that such actions reflect a disregard for the principles of equitable water use and undermine regional cooperation on Nile water resources.
The minister reiterated Egypt’s commitment to supporting shared development and regional water security through technical assistance and joint projects. However, he expressed deep concern over Ethiopia’s repeated imposition of faits accomplis and its perceived lack of sincerity in negotiations.
Sewilam warned that Ethiopia’s unilateral actions threaten to destabilize established water management frameworks and jeopardize Egypt’s vital water interests, calling instead for a cooperative and legally grounded solution.