Egypt’s Sisi Highlights Nile’s Importance, Urges International Support
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized the need for strong political dedication and international cooperation to protect water resources, particularly the Nile River, during his remarks on Sunday. Speaking via a prerecorded video at the opening of the 7th Cairo Water Week, el-Sisi highlighted the river’s critical role as the main source of Egypt’s water, accounting for over 98% of its supply.
El-Sisi’s comments come as Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia continue yearslong negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydropower project Ethiopia has been constructing since 2011 on the Nile. While Ethiopia anticipates generating 6,000 megawatts of electricity, Egypt and Sudan remain concerned that the dam could reduce their share of the river’s water.
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In September, Egypt submitted a letter to the United Nations Security Council, condemning Ethiopia’s unilateral actions regarding the dam’s filling process.
El-Sisi urged global recognition of water as a basic human right and called for enhanced international support for African nations in managing water resources. He also advocated for greater funding and technological aid to assist in water-related projects, particularly in the context of shared rivers.
The 2024 Cairo Water Week coincides with both Africa Water Week and the Africa Hydrological Conference, further underscoring the continent’s water challenges.
