Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy Habtamu Ittifa said the High Dam in Aswan was built without adequate regard for Ethiopia’s interests.
Ethiopia Renews Accusations Over Aswan Dam
Speaking in statements reported by the state-run Ethiopian News Agency, Ittifa criticized Egypt for pursuing a unilateral approach in developing Nile water resources.
Ittifa said that “Egypt has implemented a number of water development projects without sufficient regard for Ethiopia’s interests, including the construction of the High Dam in Aswan and other water transfer projects,” according to CNN.
Ittifa said the High Dam in Aswan was built “without sufficient regard for Ethiopia’s interests,” describing it as one of the most impactful mega-dam projects in Africa. He added that upstream nations contribute more than 86 percent of Nile waters and hold the legitimate right to use their water resources for development.
The minister also said that “Egypt’s political rhetoric regarding the Nile River aims in part to divert public attention from domestic challenges and create the impression that the Egyptian government is protecting the country’s national interests,” as reported by CNN.
He asked Egypt to “engage with Ethiopia and all other Nile basin countries in meaningful negotiations and cooperation based on mutual understanding, consensus, and recognition of the legitimate developmental interests of all basin countries,” according to CNN.
In November 2026, the Ethiopian minister said external pressures and efforts to block Ethiopia from using its water resources have helped strengthen national unity and collective will. He said the successful execution of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam proves the nation’s clear capability to overcome challenges and achieve water resource development projects.
Ittifa said future infrastructure developments in the country will be simpler and less complex than past projects, having successfully built a large dam in Africa despite numerous difficulties.
Egypt Responds to Water Security Concerns
An official Egyptian source responded by saying the remarks represent a continuation of unilateral Ethiopian approaches in violation of international law.