Egypt and Sudan urge Ethiopia to end unilateral Nile dam actions

Egypt and Sudan have issued a joint statement urging Ethiopia to change its unilateral approach and comply with applicable international law.

In the statement released after the third round of 2+2 consultations between the foreign and water ministers of Egypt and Sudan, both sides reiterated their complete rejection of any unilateral actions in the Eastern Nile Basin. They agreed that Ethiopia’s unilateral operation of the dam, in violation of international law, has serious consequences and poses an ongoing threat to the downstream countries, given Ethiopia’s sole management of the dam and the absence of a binding legal framework to govern its operation.

The two countries called on Ethiopia to abandon its unilateral policies and restore cooperation in line with international legal principles, particularly the obligation not to cause harm, prior notification, consultation, and consensus to ensure the sustainability of the Nile. They also affirmed that the issue of the Ethiopian dam concerns only the three Eastern Nile Basin countries—Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia—and rejected Ethiopia’s attempts to involve other Nile Basin states. The statement emphasized the historic ties among all Nile Basin peoples, including Ethiopians.

Both sides stressed that their position is based on calls for cooperation and dialogue to protect the right to life and support the right to development, working together for mutual benefit in accordance with international law. They appreciated the understanding shown by African countries regarding the rights of the downstream states to defend their water interests and pursue development like other African nations. The statement noted that Egypt and Sudan’s approval of development projects in the Southern Nile Basin reflects their firm belief in cooperation and support for development in fellow Nile Basin countries, provided that such projects meet required studies and standards and are subject to prior notification, consultation, and consensus, as stipulated by international law.

The two sides also reviewed developments regarding the Nile issue, emphasizing that the water security of Sudan and Egypt is indivisible. They agreed on the need to defend the water security of both downstream countries and to preserve their full water rights and usage under the 1959 agreement, rejecting any infringement of those rights. The statement highlighted the role of the Permanent Joint Technical Commission for Nile Waters, established under the 1959 agreement, in developing and articulating a unified position on all Nile water matters. Both countries expressed their commitment to ensuring the commission’s regular operation and supporting it technically and logistically to fulfill its mandate, coordinating their views and adopting unified stances in regional and international forums related to their water rights.