Egypt has lodged a formal complaint with the United Nations Security Council, accusing Ethiopia of jeopardizing regional stability with its unilateral actions concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile. The complaint comes in response to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's recent announcement of the dam's fifth filling phase, a move made without prior consultation with downstream countries like Egypt.
The GERD, which has been under construction since 2011, is a significant source of tension between the two nations. For Egypt, the dam is a critical issue as the Nile River supplies 97% of the country's water needs. Cairo argues that Ethiopia’s actions violate established international agreements and undermine years of negotiations aimed at reaching a mutually beneficial arrangement.
The situation has further escalated with Egypt backing Somalia amid its dispute with Ethiopia over a separate Red Sea access deal. This diplomatic row has led Egypt to provide military aid to Somalia, marking a significant shift in its foreign policy after decades of minimal involvement in the Horn of Africa.
As tensions rise, Egypt is urging the UN to intervene to prevent any further unilateral actions by Ethiopia, which Cairo believes could threaten not only its water security but also the broader stability of the region. The international community is watching closely as this dispute has the potential to affect peace and security across East Africa.
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