Cairo: Egypt "will not allow" Ethiopia to proceed with plans to construct new dams on the Nile River, as stated by Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam, amid ongoing tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Sewilam's statement comes in response to media reports suggesting Ethiopia's intention to build three additional dams alongside the GERD, further intensifying the long-standing dispute. According to TRTworld.com, Sewilam asserted at a press conference in Cairo, "It is well known that Ethiopia has plans to build new dams, but will the Egyptian state allow that? No." He emphasized Egypt's calls for a clear and legally binding mechanism for sharing operational data on the GERD, which would enable downstream countries like Egypt and Sudan to anticipate water releases and plan their annual operations. Sewilam highlighted the challenges faced by Sudan due to the absence of such information, which places the country in an "extremely difficult position." Without accurate data on the volume an d timing of water releases from Ethiopia, Sudanese authorities struggle to manage their own dams and water storage effectively. He underscored that Sudan should not be held accountable for any disruptions in water management under these circumstances, attributing responsibility to Ethiopia for its refusal to commit to a legally binding data-sharing mechanism. The Egyptian minister reiterated the country's commitment to reaching a legally binding agreement that governs the filling and operation of the GERD, ensuring regular data exchange. This approach, he stated, would protect the interests of all parties and mitigate risks associated with managing shared water resources. There has been no immediate response from Ethiopia regarding the Egyptian minister's remarks. The disagreement over the GERD, whose construction began in 2011, has long pitted Egypt and Sudan against Ethiopia. Cairo and Khartoum demand a legally binding trilateral agreement before the project's full operation, while Ethiopia argues that su ch an agreement is unnecessary and assures that the dam will not harm downstream countries' interests. The ongoing dispute previously led to a three-year suspension of negotiations, with talks resuming in 2023 only to stall again in 2024. The Nile River, spanning approximately 6,650 kilometers (4,132 miles), is a vital water resource shared by 11 countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, the DR Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.
