Egypt is on the verge of entering a state of “critical water scarcity,” according to the Minister of Water Resources & Irrigation, who has called on Ethiopia to respect Egypt's water rights and abide by international law.
Minister Hani Sewilam stated in a televised interview on Saturday that Egypt's per capita water share has dropped to approximately 510 cubic meters per person per year, nearly half the international water poverty threshold. The UN defines countries facing water poverty when per capita availability falls below 1,000 cubic meters annually.
“We expect this figure to fall below 500 cubic meters in the coming years due to ongoing population growth,” Sewilam said. “This means we are entering what is termed a state of absolute water scarcity.”
The minister stressed that any future negotiations with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam would depend on Addis Ababa changing its current approach.
“Ethiopia must submit to international law and recognize Egypt's historical rights in the Nile,” he said, calling unilateral actions by Ethiopia a key reason for the breakdown in relations.
Sewilam further emphasized that while Egypt supports Ethiopia's development, “development should not come by violating others' rights,” adding that Egypt has “always respected international treaties.”
These long-standing tensions over the GERD have drawn international attention, with US President Donald Trump warning of the dam's potential impact on Egypt’s survival, stating that the Nile is vital to Egyptian life and that reduced water flow could lead to a serious conflict.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had announced last month that the GERD would be officially inaugurated in September. He invited both Egypt and Sudan to attend the opening ceremony, claiming that the dam “will not harm the interests of Egypt or Sudan.”
“Not a single liter of water has been lost from the Aswan Dam due to GERD,” he added.
In March, the Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam acknowledged that GERD had affected Egypt but said the country managed the situation “at a cost.” He cited the 2015 Declaration of Principles, which stipulates that if the dam causes harm to downstream nations, compensation is required. “Egypt will demand it one day,” he added.
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi underscored this position in October, describing the Nile as the lifeline for over 98% of Egypt's population. “We are keen on pursuing the political and diplomatic path to resolve the dispute over GERD,” he said.
Last December, Egypt officially declared the end of the negotiation track. The Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation said it would closely monitor the dam's filling and operation, asserting Egypt's right to defend its national and water security under international law.
