New Statements from Sisi on Ethiopian Dams: Peaceful Solutions Are Not at the Expense of Egypt and Its People

- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Tuesday that Cairo is giving the issue of the Ethiopian dams "diplomatic space," but he also warned that this "will not be at the expense of Egypt and its people." El-Sisi's remarks came during an event with students at the Egyptian Military Academy, where he stated, according to a presidential statement, that "the state is providing diplomatic space and peaceful solutions regarding the issue of the Ethiopian dams, but this will not be at the expense of Egypt and its people."

He added that "the Ethiopian dam was built only as a result of the events that the state witnessed during the period from 2011 to 2013 and the absence of the state." El-Sisi continued by saying that "the price Egypt paid in 2011 was very high, and he was keen to mention this today to ensure the preservation of Egypt."

Ethiopia conducted its first geological survey of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam area in 2009, before laying the foundation stone in April 2011. Since then, Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia have engaged in marathon negotiations without reaching an agreement regarding the dam.

Cairo and Khartoum have requested Addis Ababa to conclude an agreement regarding the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, especially during times of drought. Meanwhile, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated during the opening of the 39th African Union summit earlier this year that "Ethiopia is committed to the responsible management of water resources to achieve sustainable development."

Meanwhile, Egypt and Sudan, the downstream countries, fear that the dam poses "a threat to their water security" and to their historical share of the Nile River's waters. In the meantime, the Sudanese Armed Forces announced their firm rejection of statements made by the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian Army last week, in which he accused Sudan and Egypt of supporting Ethiopian opposition groups currently fighting against Abiy Ahmed's government.

The Sudanese army stated in a statement late on Monday: "The Sudanese Armed Forces have followed the statements of the Chief of Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, which included accusations against Sudan of supporting the Ethiopian opposition." Egypt did not respond directly to the Ethiopian accusations, but the spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, Nader Zaki, wrote on his account on the X platform on Monday: "Egypt's foreign policy is based on fixed principles, foremost among them is respect for the sovereignty of states and the unity and integrity of their territories, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries."

He continued: "Any claims that cast doubt on Egypt's commitment to these established principles are as good as non-existent." It is noteworthy that the dispute between Egypt and Sudan with Ethiopia is ongoing regarding the rules for managing and operating the "Renaissance Dam," amidst repeated calls to reach an agreement that considers the interests of the Nile Basin countries.

Construction of the dam on the Blue Nile began in April 2011, before it was officially inaugurated on September 9, 2025, after more than 14 years of construction work. During this period, the three countries engaged in marathon negotiations without reaching an agreement on the operation of the dam.