Cairo: Egypt "will not allow" Ethiopia to build new dams on the Nile River, declared Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam amid an ongoing dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Sewilam's statement comes in response to recent media reports suggesting Ethiopia's plans to construct three additional dams alongside the GERD.

According to TRTworld.com, Sewilam addressed the issue at a press conference in Cairo, emphasizing that while Ethiopia has intentions to expand its dam projects, Egypt firmly opposes these developments. He reiterated Egypt's call for a legally binding mechanism to ensure the exchange of operational data on the GERD, facilitating downstream countries Egypt and Sudan to anticipate water releases and manage their annual operations effectively.

Sewilam highlighted the challenges faced by Sudan due to the absence of such data, stating that it places Sudan in a difficult position, hindering effective management of its water resources. He stressed that Sudan should not be held accountable for any disruptions in water management under these circumstances, pointing the responsibility towards Ethiopia for not committing to a binding data-sharing agreement.

The minister further affirmed Egypt's dedication to establishing a legally binding agreement that governs the GERD's filling and operation, ensuring a regular exchange of data to protect the interests of all involved nations and mitigate risks associated with shared water resources.

The ongoing dispute between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia over the GERD has persisted since construction began in 2011. Egypt and Sudan demand a legally binding trilateral agreement before the dam is fully operational, while Ethiopia argues that such an agreement is unnecessary, maintaining that the dam will not adversely affect downstream countries. Despite resumed negotiations in 2023, talks stalled again in 2024, leaving the issue unresolved among the 11 countries sharing the Nile River's resources.