Donald Trump with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (AP image)
US President Donald Trump on Friday offered to mediate the long-running dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the sharing of Nile River waters. He stated that Washington is ready to restart talks to find a lasting and fair solution.In a letter written to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and later posted on Trump’s Truth Social account, the US president said he was prepared to renew American mediation efforts amid rising tensions linked to Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).The Nile dispute has intensified since Ethiopia inaugurated the GERD on September 9. Egypt, which lies downstream, has strongly opposed the project, arguing that it threatens its water security. Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous country with more than 120 million people, views the $5 billion dam as central to its economic development and electricity generation plans.In his letter, Trump also praised Sisi’s regional role.“I thank you for your leadership in successfully mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. I recognize and admire your steady role in managing the many security and humanitarian challenges that have faced this region, and your own people, since October 7, 2023. This war has weighed heavily on Egyptians, not just their neighbors, in Israel and Gaza,” Trump wrote.Trump stressed that no single country should dominate the river’s resources, writing that the United States “affirms that no state in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile, and disadvantage its neighbors in the process.”He added that US-led efforts could help secure predictable water flows during droughts while allowing Ethiopia to generate power from the dam.“I believe that with the right technical expertise, fair and transparent negotiations, and a strong United States role in monitoring and coordination between parties, we can achieve a lasting agreement for all Nile Basin Nations,” Trump said.Trump also warned against the risk of escalation, saying: “I very much hope that this truly understandable dispute over the GERD (DAM!) will not lead to major military conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia.”Egypt which is home to around 107 million people, depends on the Nile for nearly all of its fresh water, which is critical for households, agriculture and power generation at the Aswan High Dam, according to BBC. Ethiopia has confirmed it has completed filling the reservoir at the GERD, a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile that officials say will help bring electricity to millions and boost economic growth.
