With the fierce crisis persisting over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egypt has been upping its rhetoric against Addis Ababa, accusing it of undermining regional stability.
“Ethiopia’s policy on the GERD is a further assertion of the unilateral nature of its regional conduct that has resulted in continuing harm and suffering for multitudes of our African brethren,” it said.
The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Friday in which it rejected the Ethiopian foreign ministry’s statement on the Arab League stance on GERD altogether.
Cairo, in the statement, urged the international community to join the Arab League in taking cognizance of Ethiopia’s continuing defiance and unilateralism, which threaten to undermine regional stability and security.
“This statement is inappropriate, undiplomatic, and constitutes an unacceptable affront to the Arab League and its member states. The fact that the Arab League adopted a resolution calling on Ethiopia to respect the applicable rules of international law and not to undertake unilateral measures that could harm Egyptian riparian rights and interests is a testament to the extent to which Ethiopia unilaterally considers its interests not only as superseding, but also superior to, the collective interests of the sovereign states of the Arab League which it seeks to suppress,” it added.
The Arab League voiced rejection of any infringement of Egypt’s historical rights to the waters of the River Nile.
This came at the end of the 153rd session of the Arab League Council, which kicked off on March 4 at the level of foreign ministers.
“This resolution adopted by the Arab League reflects dismay and discontent at Ethiopia’s track record throughout the endless rounds of negotiations on the GERD, particularly since the conclusion of the 2015 Agreement on Declaration of Principles (DoP),” continued the Egyptian Foreign Ministry.
“Ethiopia’s posture and position during these negotiations, which has been criticized by the Arab League, evinces its intent to exercise hydro-hegemony and to anoint itself as the unchallenged and sole beneficiary over the Nile.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is expected to kick off on Sunday an Arab tour, starting from Jordan. He will also visit Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates.
