Renaissance Dam constructed without sufficient consultations or proper studies: Egypt’s Water Minister

CAIRO- 7 December 2024: The construction of the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) began without sufficient consultation or proper studies on its safety, economic, social, or environmental impacts on neighboring countries, said Hani Sweilem, Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation during a meeting with Dr. Mona Ali, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Environment and Natural Resources of Sudan, on Saturday.

The meeting convened during his participation in the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Sweilem also highlighted the dangers posed by unilateral actions that disregard international law, particularly referencing the Ethiopian dam. 

He noted that the dam’s construction began without sufficient consultation or proper studies on its safety, economic, social, or environmental impacts on neighboring countries, constituting a breach of international law. 

He criticized the Ethiopian approach of attempting to establish a fait accompli, lacking the political will to negotiate a mutually agreed solution, while seeking to justify unilateral policies under the guise of development rights. 

Sweilem stressed that true development is achievable through cooperative practices, consistent with international law, that benefit all parties and foster regional cohesion.

The Minister reiterated the need for countries sharing international rivers to adhere to the relevant international legal frameworks, including existing agreements and principles of international law. 

He emphasized the rejection of any actions that affect the rights of Egypt and Sudan over the Nile waters and called for a halt to any unilateral measures that would harm the water interests of the two nations.

Sweilem emphasized Egypt's commitment to strengthening cooperation with Sudan, grounded in the historic and fraternal ties between the peoples of the Nile Valley. He reiterated Egypt’s readiness to provide all forms of support to Sudan, reflecting the unique nature of Egyptian-Sudanese relations.

In response, Dr. Ali expressed Sudan’s eagerness to enhance cooperation with Egypt across various sectors, especially in water management. She highlighted the negative environmental impacts of the Ethiopian dam on Sudan and underscored the need to address the risks posed by artificial droughts resulting from large dam constructions. She called for collective efforts to mitigate these impacts.

The two ministers exchanged views on water issues affecting both Egypt and Sudan as downstream countries. They were fully aligned in their understanding of water security as a vital, existential matter for both nations. Sweilem emphasized that effective cooperation on international river basins is essential for Egypt’s survival. He stressed the importance of conducting comprehensive studies to assess the environmental, economic, and social impacts of major projects in shared river basins, ensuring the rights of downstream countries are respected.