Egypt's Water Minister on protecting national interests
Egypt's Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, Hani Sewilam, affirmed that Egypt's water security is a existential issue and that Cairo will not accept the imposition of a new fait accompli on the Nile River Basin, relying on international law to protect its rights. He emphasized that Egypt rejects Ethiopia's claims of absolute sovereignty over the dam and its unilateral management of it, warning that uncoordinated actions could lead to industrial flooding or artificial droughts threatening Egypt's water facilities and downstream countries. He clarified that Egypt annually uses approximately 23.2 billion cubic meters of water and continues to support development projects in the Nile Basin countries worth over $120 million, while insisting on restoring cooperation in accordance with international law. This comes amid Ethiopian accusations of obstructing efforts to reach consensus on dam management. Additionally, he pointed out that the storage of the High Dam is a strategic pillar for facing potential dry years, and that continued unilateral policies in managing the dam threaten Egypt’s water security. Egypt is continuing diplomatic and legal efforts to safeguard its rights.
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