Egypt Ups Int’l Pressure Over GERD

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)
TT

Egypt Ups Int’l Pressure Over GERD

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. (AFP)

Egypt has continued its international escalation on the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

The North African nation affirmed in its fourth letter regarding the GERD to the UN Security Council that “Ethiopia's unilateral actions regarding the filling and operation of the dam constitute an existential threat to Egypt and a threat to its stability.”

The address was sent by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the UNSC on the occasion of Ethiopia announcing the completion of the fourth filling of the GERD.

In the message, Egypt emphasized that “for the fourth time in a row, the UNSC is being informed of Ethiopia’s repeated violations of international law and agreements, including the 2015 Declaration of Principles concerning the dam.”

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had announced on September 10 the success of his country in completing the fourth and final filling of the GERD, a move criticized by Egypt at the time.

According to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the fourth filling exhibits “disregard for the interests and rights of the downstream states (Egypt and Sudan) and their water security guaranteed by international law.”

Egypt’s letter on Friday clarified that Ethiopia’s latest move “constitutes a continuous violation of the Declaration of Principles that obligates Ethiopia to reach a legally binding agreement on the rules governing the filling and operation of the dam.”

It emphasized that Ethiopia’s continued unilateral practices could impact Egypt and its stability, thereby endangering regional and international peace and security.

The Foreign Ministry expressed “Egypt's unequivocal rejection of these actions taken by Ethiopia and its complete disregard for the UNSC statement, which called on Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia to expeditiously reach a final, acceptable agreement on the filling and operation of the dam within a reasonable time frame.”

Ali Al-Hafny, Egypt’s former ambassador to China and a former deputy minister of foreign affairs for African affairs, pointed out that Egypt’s insistence on addressing the UNSC and keeping it informed of developments in the GERD issue “represents a genuine Egyptian right and the use of tools provided by international law for member states of the UN.”

Hafny, in statements to Asharq Al-Awsat, clarified that the Foreign Ministry’s message conveyed a “clear and disciplined diplomatic and legal language.”

This language, he asserted, should hold the international organization accountable for its responsibilities towards regional peace and security, given that Ethiopia’s unilateral actions represent “a violation of international law and a direct threat to the rights of downstream countries protected by international transboundary river agreements.”

Hafny further explained that Egypt’s repeated recourse to the UNSC came only after exhausting all bilateral and regional avenues, and due to what he described as the African Union’s “inability” to find a solution to the crisis.

The dispute over the GERD dates back to 2011 when Ethiopia began construction of the massive hydroelectric dam on the Blue Nile. For years, Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia engaged in intermittent negotiations brokered by the African Union, but the talks collapsed in April 2021.



Trump Victory Fuels Fears of Netanyahu’s Increased Freedom in Lebanon

Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)
Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)
TT

Trump Victory Fuels Fears of Netanyahu’s Increased Freedom in Lebanon

Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)
Smoke rises from Beirut’s southern suburbs following Israeli attacks. (AFP)

Lebanese are watching closely after Donald Trump’s election as US president, hoping his policies might bring solutions to regional crises and possibly halt wars in Ukraine and the Middle East.

Observers caution, however, that change won’t be immediate or at Israel’s expense; instead, they expect Israel could have more military leeway before peace efforts begin.

Trump didn’t outline his plans to end conflicts during his victory speech, only briefly mentioning the issue.

Fares Soeid, a former Lebanese MP, called Trump’s win a potential global turning point, particularly in conflict zones like Ukraine and the Middle East. Soeid believes Trump’s support for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s far-right may intensify.

Soeid told Asharq Al-Awsat that Trump’s election could hasten military actions on the Lebanese-Israeli border, allowing Netanyahu more freedom to secure military objectives and strengthen Israel’s negotiating position.

He suggested key UN resolutions intended to control arms in Lebanon may lose focus, with the goal shifting to place all weapons under state control.

There is concern in Lebanon over any change to Resolution 1701, which maintains the ceasefire with Israel.

Soeid clarified that Trump might not scrap these resolutions outright but could push for tighter arms restrictions, ensuring only Lebanon’s government holds power over weapons.

He believes the US may aim to create a cohesive Lebanese leadership to enforce these measures, essentially enabling Netanyahu more flexibility in regional matters.

The US election drew intense interest in Lebanon, with citizens and officials closely tracking the campaigns and vote results, hoping for a positive shift.

Lebanese politician Khaldoun Sharif noted that Trump reached out to Lebanese Americans during his campaign, promising to bring peace to Lebanon quickly.

He sees Trump’s advisor, Lebanese-born Massad Boulos, as potentially instrumental in highlighting Lebanon’s needs to the new administration.

Sharif criticized the outgoing Democratic administration’s handling of conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, saying it failed to curb Netanyahu’s plans despite multiple ceasefire proposals.

As Trump prepares to take office on January 20, Sharif emphasized that Lebanon is eager for a complete ceasefire, adherence to Resolution 1701, a consensus-backed president, and a transparent, reform-oriented government to rebuild trust with Arab nations and the international community.

Sharif voiced disappointment that past US administrations have often overlooked Lebanon’s significance.

Now, amid a severe conflict, he hopes Trump will act swiftly to end the violence, support reconstruction, and restore Lebanon’s standing on the regional stage.