Egypt, Sudan reject unilateral Ethiopian dam management, reaffirm 1959 Nile water rights

Egypt and Sudan on Monday reiterated their rejection of unilateral actions in the Eastern Nile Basin, warning that Ethiopia’s management of its dam on the Blue Nile without a binding legal framework poses a continuing threat to the water security of the two downstream countries.

The position was outlined in a joint statement following the third round of the “2+2” consultation mechanism between the foreign and irrigation ministers of Egypt and Sudan, held in Cairo.

The Egyptian delegation was led by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam, while Sudan was represented by Foreign Minister Mohi El-Din Salem and Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Ismat Qurashi.

The two countries described their water security as “indivisible” and reaffirmed what they termed their full water rights and existing uses under the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement.

They called on Ethiopia to abandon what they described as unilateral policies and resume cooperation in accordance with international law, including the principles of avoiding significant harm, prior notification, consultation and consensus.

Egypt and Sudan also stressed that the Ethiopian dam dispute concerns the three Eastern Nile Basin countries — Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia — rejecting what they described as attempts to involve other Nile Basin countries in the dispute.

The two sides reaffirmed the role of their Permanent Joint Technical Commission for Nile Waters in developing common positions and agreed to provide it with the necessary technical and logistical support.

Meanwhile, they expressed support for development projects in the southern Nile Basin, provided they meet the required technical standards and are subject to prior notification, consultation and agreement in accordance with international law.

Egypt and Sudan also called for preserving the Nile Basin Initiative as an inclusive platform for cooperation and supported continued consultations on the Cooperative Framework Agreement, with the aim of restoring the participation of all basin countries and addressing their concerns.

Egypt reaffirms support for Sudan’s unity

On Sudan, Egypt reiterated its rejection of the establishment or recognition of parallel governing entities, reaffirming its support for the country’s unity, territorial integrity and state institutions.

The statement said Egypt remained prepared to take measures permitted under international law and the two countries’ joint defence agreement to support Sudan and protect what Cairo described as red lines concerning Sudanese sovereignty and state institutions.

The two sides also condemned what they described as attacks by “rebel militias” on electricity and water infrastructure in Sudan using drones launched from a neighbouring country. The statement did not identify the country.

They discussed Sudan’s recovery and reconstruction efforts, with Khartoum seeking to establish a broader partnership with Egypt. Both sides also highlighted Egyptian technical work to assess damage and carry out maintenance at the Jebel Aulia Dam.

Red Sea governance

On the Red Sea, Egypt and Sudan stressed that its governance should remain the exclusive responsibility of littoral states, rejecting maritime access for non-littoral countries if it comes at the expense of the sovereignty or territorial integrity of coastal states.

They also opposed what they described as attempts to militarise the Red Sea and agreed to intensify political, economic and water cooperation, including support for Sudan’s reconstruction and training programmes for Sudanese irrigation officials.