Photo: Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed during his speech at the inauguration of the GERD.

By: ✍️Gafer Mohamdin Abden - September 9, 2025

Despite the significant challenges faced by our sister country, Ethiopia, for more than a decade, this great project has been completed, truly the greatest achievement in its modern history. We congratulate the government and people of Ethiopia on this tremendous work and exceptional effort, which culminated in the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, a symbol of national will and sustainable development.

The Significance of the Achievement for Ethiopia

Generating more than 6,000 megawatts of electricity, making Ethiopia the largest producer of hydropower in Africa.
Supporting industrial development and expanding the electricity grid domestically and internationally through exports to neighboring countries.
Strengthening its regional position as a major hydropower hub.

Key Challenges

Disputes over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) are considered one of the most complex water disputes in Africa and the Middle East in recent decades, with technical, legal, political, and security dimensions intertwined. The most prominent points of contention between Ethiopia (the dam's builder) and Egypt and Sudan are as follows:

The duration of the dam's initial filling and operation
Ethiopia insists on filling and operating the dam quickly to meet its development needs and generate electricity.
Egypt fears that rapid filling will affect its historical share of Nile water (55.5 billion m³ annually) and threaten its water security.
Sudan is concerned that uncoordinated filling could lead to disruptions in the operation of its dams (such as the Roseires) and threaten its water and agricultural security.

Historical Nile Water Shares

Egypt relies on the 1929 and 1959 agreements that granted it the largest share of Nile water.
Ethiopia rejects these agreements as "colonial" and was not a party to them.
Sudan is caught between the two positions, benefiting from the 1959 agreement but also demanding a fair distribution of resources.

Dispute Resolution Mechanism

Egypt and Sudan are demanding a binding legal agreement setting out the rules for filling and operating the dam, and a mechanism for international arbitration in the event of a dispute.
Ethiopia rejects any "legally binding" agreement, instead proposing flexible understandings or general principles that allow it freedom of control.

Water Security vs. National Sovereignty

Egypt considers the dam an existential threat to its water security.
Ethiopia believes that any restrictions on the dam's operation are a violation of its sovereignty and right to development.
Sudan views the dam as an opportunity to obtain cheap electricity and regulate the Nile floods, but fears its collapse or unilateral operation.

Technical Risks and Dam Safety

Sudan focuses on the engineering safety risks of the dam's proximity to its borders (only 15 km), and the catastrophic consequences of its collapse.
Ethiopia is reassured of the construction's durability.
Egypt occasionally raises this point to support its concerns about the project.

Regional and International Dimensions

Egypt sought to internationalize the issue through the Security Council and the African Union.
Ethiopia rejected international pressure, considering it an infringement on national sovereignty.
Sudan has oscillated between the two camps depending on developments that serve its immediate interests.

Regional Disputes with Egypt and Sudan Over Water Shares

Economic sanctions and a lack of funding in the early stages.
Internal conflicts and political instability, including the rebellions of the Tigray Front and the Ethiopian Fano Front, despite this, progress on the dam was not affected.
Technical and environmental difficulties in constructing a project of this magnitude.
Despite all these obstacles, Ethiopia was able to achieve this historic accomplishment, confirming its determination to complete its massive national project.

Sudan, the Beneficiary

There is no doubt that Sudan is one of the countries that will benefit from the Renaissance Dam, whether through:
Reducing seasonal flooding.
Benefiting from the electricity generated.
Opening new horizons for regional cooperation and joint development.

Ethiopia, my sister and my second country, we salute you with respect and appreciation. This is how nations are built by the efforts of their sons, and this is how cohesive peoples continue their journey towards development and prosperity despite the challenges.

Head of states with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed during the inauguration of the GERD.
Head of states with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed during the inauguration of the GERD.
Head of states with Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed during the inauguration of the GERD.

 

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