Egypt has formally addressed the United Nations Security Council, warning that Ethiopia's unilateral operation of its Blue Nile dam violates international law and threatens the rights of downstream countries. In a letter sent on Tuesday by Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty, Cairo condemned Ethiopia's recent ceremony announcing the completion and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), calling the project a "unilateral measure" that ignores international norms and longstanding agreements governing the Nile Basin. Egypt stressed that it does not recognise or accept any consequences of Ethiopia's actions that could affect the "existential interests" of Egypt and Sudan. The letter detailed years of Egyptian restraint and diplomacy, noting that the government has sought to resolve disputes through the UN and other international forums rather than resorting to confrontation. Cairo criticised Addis Ababa for pursuing a rigid, politically driven agenda that prioritises domestic political gains over genuine developmental needs, and accused it of mobilising nationalist sentiment around false claims of Nile sovereignty. Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to international law, warning that any attempt by Ethiopia to dominate water management unilaterally would be met with all measures available under international law and the UN Charter to safeguard its national interests. Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English
