Egypt vows to defend its water security ‘uncompromisingly’ if damage occurs due to GERD

Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Abdelatty, reaffirmed the country’s right to safeguard its water security in response to the challenges posed by the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), asserting that Egypt will protect its interests in line with international law.

In an interview with Asharq News published on September 22, Abdelatty highlighted the existential importance of water for Egypt, stressing that the country is uniquely dependent on the transboundary Nile River as its sole water source. When asked about the possibility of military action related to the GERD, Abdelatty stated: “We will defend our interests within the framework of international law.”

He emphasized Egypt’s responsible international conduct, noting that the nation deploys military forces abroad only under United Nations mandates and for peacekeeping missions. However, he affirmed Egypt’s capacity to protect its water rights: “If our security and interests are threatened, we will not hesitate to act. This concerns the well-being, security, and stability of over 110 million Egyptians.”

Abdelatty criticized Ethiopia for what he described as “evasion and bad-faith negotiations,” which have stalled all diplomatic efforts since 2023. Despite 13 years of talks between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, no substantial agreements have been reached, with Ethiopia continuing to advance the dam’s construction without compromise.

With Egypt facing acute water shortages, the country relies heavily on the Nile, receiving only around 550 cubic meters of water per capita annually—well below the global water scarcity threshold of 1,000 cubic meters per person.