عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Tanzania’s Rufiji River: Egypt’s Response to Ethiopia’s Accusations

Egypt concludes construction work on Rufiji Dam in Tanzania (Egyptian Cabinet)
Egypt concludes construction work on Rufiji Dam in Tanzania (Egyptian Cabinet)
TT
TT

Tanzania’s Rufiji River: Egypt’s Response to Ethiopia’s Accusations

Egypt concludes construction work on Rufiji Dam in Tanzania (Egyptian Cabinet)
Egypt concludes construction work on Rufiji Dam in Tanzania (Egyptian Cabinet)

Egypt has completed the construction work of a massive dam body it is building on the Rufiji River in Tanzania, in a move considered as a message addressed to Ethiopia,

Cairo also started preparations for retaining water to fill the reservoir of the giant Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project (JNHPP).

The construction project has the full support of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly affirmed that Sisi gave orders on maintaining high-level quality implementation as the project represents a dream for the people of Tanzania.

An Egyptian consortium made of Arab Contractors and El-Sewedy Electric celebrated finishing the construction of the main body of the Julius Nyere Dam on Rufiji.

The construction of the main dam lasted over 687 days since the diversion of the river on November 18, 2020, in the presence of senior officials of the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited, owner of the project.

Tanzania is one of the 11 Nile Basin countries.

Building the dam comes as a response to the accusations Ethiopia leveled against Egypt for allegedly inhibiting development projects in the Basin.

“The project confirms Egypt’s cooperation with the Nile Basin countries, and refutes Ethiopia's accusations,” former Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Mahmmoud Abu Zeid told Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Egypt only rejects the lack of coordination and projects that affect the course of the Nile,” Abu Zeid added.

According to the ex-minister, Egypt is keen on achieving integration through joint development projects.

Moreover, Egypt is looking to seize the opportunity found in annual rainfall that is wasted in most Nile Basin countries.

Egyptian Minister of Housing Assem al-Gazzar confirmed that with the completion of the construction of the main dam, the Egyptian consortium has begun preparing to start holding the waters of the Rufiji River behind the dam.

This is scheduled to last for about two months (according to flood forecasts for the current year).

According to Gazzar, three giant water drainage gates have been established on three levels in the body of the dam, which will control the provision of the minimum amount of water to maintain the riverine environment below the dam.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
TT
TT

Baghdad Urges Washington to Prevent ‘Imminent’ Israeli Strikes

Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)
Sudani visiting a market in Baghdad on Thursday (Government media)

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani on Thursday called on major powers to “exert greater efforts to end the war in Palestine and Lebanon.” Meanwhile, an Iraqi government official urged the United States to “prevent any attacks on the country,” referring to potential Israeli strikes.
During a phone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Al-Sudani stressed the importance of ensuring the conflict does not escalate “to a level that threatens regional and global stability.”
The Iraqi prime minister’s appeal comes amid reports suggesting that Israel may launch strikes on Iraq in retaliation for attacks by Iraqi armed factions targeting Israeli positions.
The Iraqi government is striving to assert its exclusive authority over weapons and war-related decisions. However, armed factions affiliated with the Axis of Resistance openly claim responsibility for near-daily rocket attacks on Israel. This has provided Israel with a justification for potentially targeting Iraqi territory, especially after it filed a complaint with the UN Security Council against six Iraqi factions and held Baghdad responsible for the attacks.
These factions have also openly declared their involvement in the ongoing conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza. The Iraqi government has been unable to take decisive action to halt the activities of these factions, which many believe could soon expose Iraq to an Israeli strike.
According to media reports, Washington has warned Baghdad that Israeli airstrikes on Iraq are “imminent” unless the Iraqi government curtails attacks by Iranian-backed factions on Israel. The Times of Israel cited sources indicating that the United States has “exhausted all means of pressure on Israel” and urged Iraq to act swiftly to prevent such attacks.
Despite repeated assurances from the Iraqi government—including its recent adoption of 12 measures by the National Security Council to counter Israeli threats and complaints—the situation remains tense. These measures include monitoring Iraq’s western borders, preventing factions from launching attacks, and maintaining Iraq’s neutrality in the ongoing conflict.
On Wednesday, Abu Hussein Al-Hamidawi, Secretary-General of Kata’ib Hezbollah, made a striking statement on the role of resistance factions in the war and their commitment to the Unity of Fronts doctrine frequently mentioned by Axis of Resistance groups.
In an interview published by the faction’s media arm, Al-Hamidawi said: “The continuity of the Unity of Fronts concept depends on what the Lebanese Hezbollah decides.”
Al-Hamidawi also emphasized that resistance factions are constantly coordinating internally and with external partners such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Palestinian resistance leaders.
“We aim to ensure that the Palestinian people are not left alone and that the Unity of Fronts remains intact,” he stated.
Fadi Al-Shammari, a political advisor to Sudani, reiterated that Israel’s threats “are not new,” citing the recent complaint filed by Israel with the UN Security Council as part of its pattern of issuing threats.
In media statements, Al-Shammari reaffirmed the Iraqi government’s long-standing position: “The decision of war and peace lies solely with the Iraqi government.”
He noted that the factions’ attacks are being launched from areas outside Iraq’s borders, specifically from Syria. However, he stressed that the Iraqi government is working through its security and military agencies to prevent Iraq from becoming a battlefield for external or internal parties.
Al-Shammari also called on the United States to fulfill its responsibilities under the Strategic Framework Agreement and security pact with Iraq, emphasizing the need to deter and respond to any external attacks that threaten Iraq’s internal security.