Rising Nile floods deepen rift between Egypt and Ethiopia
Floods in northern Egypt and Sudan have reignited tensions with Ethiopia over its massive Nile dam, with Cairo accusing Addis Ababa of worsening the disaster through sudden, unannounced water releases.
Egypt’s Water Resources and Irrigation Ministry said sharp fluctuations in water flow after the September 9 inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) intensified flooding in both countries.
The GERD has long been a flashpoint between the two countries. Egypt views it as a threat to its water security, while Ethiopia calls it a vital source of energy and national pride.
“There is no explanation other than a deliberate act of defiance by the Ethiopian side,” said Mokhtar Ghobashy, a lawyer and deputy head of the Arab Centre for Political and Strategic Studies.
Ghobashy accused Ethiopia of acting unilaterally throughout the GERD’s construction and operation.
“It’s clear that they have a complete disregard for the historical rights of Egypt and Sudan,” he said.
Ethiopia, for its part, insists the dam reduced flood damage and supports regional development, rejecting Cairo’s claims as “malicious and baseless.”
For Egypt, the rising waters are more than a natural disaster. They are a reminder of a power struggle flowing through the Nile itself, where survival and sovereignty now intertwine.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
