Arab nations urge Ethiopian dam agreement, reject 'unilateral control' over Nile waters

CAIRO – 5 September 2025: The 164th Session of the Arab League Ministerial Council in Cairo have reaffirmed the urgent need for a legally binding agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

In their final communique, the foreign ministers emphasized the importance of reaching such a deal as soon as possible to safeguard the water rights and interests of Egypt and Sudan, while also accommodating Ethiopia’s developmental needs.

The ministerial session emphasized that any agreement must ensure the water security of Egypt and Sudan, considering it an integral part of overall Arab national security.

The council categorically rejected any actions or measures that infringe upon the water rights of the two downstream countries.

The ministers expressed grave concern over Ethiopia’s continued unilateral measures in filling and operating the dam, which could harm Egypt and Sudan’s water interests.

They described these actions as a clear violation of international law and the Declaration of Principles (DoP) signed in Khartoum in 2015, warning that such unilateral steps pose serious threats to the vital water interests of both downstream nations.

The council reiterated Ethiopia’s obligation to uphold key principles of international law, especially the duty not to cause significant harm to other riparian states, and the principles of equitable and reasonable use of shared water resources.

The ministers also underscored the importance of cooperation, prior notification, and consultation among all Nile Basin states before taking any steps that affect Nile waters.

Rejecting any policies or practices aimed at imposing a fait accompli or unilateral control over the Nile, the ministers stressed that effective participation and consensus among basin countries is the only viable path to ensuring the fair and equitable use of the river’s resources.

The ministers agreed to maintain the GERD issue as a standing item on the agenda of future Arab League foreign ministerial meetings, ensuring close monitoring of developments and continued coordination of joint Arab positions to protect the water rights of Egypt and Sudan.

‘Existential Threat’

Ethiopia is preparing to officially inaugurate its 74 billion cubic meter GERD later in September despite longstanding objection by Egypt and Sudan, the downstream countries.

Ethiopia has continued filling and operating the dam over the past years, brushing aside demands by Egypt and Sudan, the downstream countries, that a written agreement must be reached first to secure their water interests.

Egypt has repeatedly warned that the filling and operation of the dam with the absence of a clear legally-binding agreement is an “existential threat” with the country relying on the Nile for over 98 percent of its water supply.

Meanwhile, Ethiopia has claimed that the dam will not harm the water shares of the downstream countries and will also benefit them.

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi last month affirmed Egypt's complete rejection of unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin, emphasizing that anyone who believes Egypt will turn a blind eye to its water rights is "mistaken."

During a joint press conference with Ugandan President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Sisi stated that “we will continue to monitor the situation and take all measures permitted under international law to safeguard our people’s existential resources.”

Sisi stressed that Egypt does not oppose any development for our partners in the Nile Basin countries, but Egypt's only concern is that this development does not affect the nation’s water share.