Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Tuesday, hosted Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Cairo to address the contentious Nile River dispute.
The talks focused on Egypt’s water security concerns, particularly regarding Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
El-Sisi emphasized Egypt’s reliance on the Nile, which provides over 98% of its water.
Egypt’s Stance on Water Security
At a joint press conference, El-Sisi vowed to protect Egypt’s water resources.
“Anyone who imagines Egypt will turn a blind eye to an existential threat to its water security is mistaken,” he warned, as quoted by Ahram Online.
He pledged to use international law to safeguard Egypt’s share of Nile water, likely referencing the GERD’s potential to reduce downstream flow.
Ethiopia’s GERD Sparks Regional Dispute
Ethiopia’s GERD, built on the Blue Nile, has fueled tensions for over a decade. Cairo fears the dam will cut Egypt’s annual 55.5 billion cubic meter water quota, pushing it further below the UN’s water poverty threshold.
Ethiopia denies this, accusing Egypt and Sudan of stifling its development. Negotiations among the three nations have repeatedly stalled, with Cairo ending talks in December 2023 due to Ethiopia’s rejection of proposed solutions.
Cooperative Framework Agreement Controversy
In 2024, the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA), or Entebbe Agreement, took effect, backed by seven upstream countries, including Uganda.
It aims to replace colonial-era treaties favoring Egypt and Sudan, which allocated them 55.5 and 18.5 billion cubic meters, respectively.
Cairo and Khartoum protested, arguing the CFA threatens their historical water rights. Upstream nations claim the old agreements unfairly limit their access.
Museveni’s Call for Cooperation
Museveni urged a cooperative approach, noting the Nile Basin’s 1,600 billion cubic meters of annual water, of which Egypt and Sudan use only 4%.
He stressed shared prosperity, saying, “Prosperity for all, electricity for all, irrigation for all,” to balance development and water needs.
The talks also saw Egypt pledge $100 million for the Angololo Dam project, reinforcing bilateral ties.
Ongoing Geopolitical Challenges
The Nile remains a flashpoint in eastern Africa, with Egypt’s water scarcity driving its firm stance. El-Sisi expressed hope in Uganda’s leadership in the Nile Basin Initiative to foster consensus.
However, the unresolved GERD dispute and CFA tensions continue to challenge regional stability, with Egypt vowing vigilance to protect its lifeline.
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