Egyptian president meets top US commander, says Nile River national security issue

ISTANBUL

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the Nile River represents a national security issue for his country, during a meeting Sunday in Cairo with Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command.

Sisi and Kurilla discussed regional water issues, with the Egyptian leader stressing the “critical importance” of the Nile River to Egypt’s national security, the presidency said in a statement.

Last Tuesday, Sisi expressed appreciation for US President Donald Trump’s “keenness” on reaching a just agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a dam project built by Addis Ababa on the Blue Nile, a tributary of the Nile River.

His remarks followed Trump’s statement that Washington was working to resolve the dam dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia quickly.

Egypt and Sudan have long pushed for a legally binding agreement with Ethiopia on how the GERD is filled and operated, especially during periods of drought, to secure their share of Nile water.

Ethiopia, however, says the dam is essential for the country’s development process and vowed not to harm downstream nations.

In early July, Ethiopia announced the completion of the GERD, in preparation for an official inauguration in September.

Construction on the GERD began in 2011. Over the years, it has become a point of diplomatic tension, particularly between Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt, which fears reduced water flows could affect its share of the Nile.

Despite years of negotiations under the African Union and international mediation, the three countries have yet to reach a legally binding agreement on long-term water management.