Dam

Why Ethiopia’s rebuke of the Arab League matters beyond a diplomatic spat When Ethiopia’s ambassador to Somalia, Suleiman Dedefo, posted a withering critique of the Arab League this week — asking whether the bloc had become “an instrument executing Egypt’s anti-Ethiopia policy” — he did more than punt a regional insult into cyberspace. The message tapped into a deeper, increasingly fraught debate over water, sovereignty and how international institutions choose sides when resources and livelihoods collide. The immediate…

Kenya’s president travels to Addis Ababa as Ethiopia opens contested Grand Renaissance Dam ADDIS ABABA — Kenya’s President William Ruto arrived in Ethiopia on Sunday to attend the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a sweeping hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile that has long been a flashpoint with downstream neighbours Egypt and Sudan. State House in Nairobi cast the visit as a milestone for continental cooperation. “This inauguration symbolizes Africa’s self-reliance and a major step in…

Reinforcing Unity: Egypt and Sudan Stand Firm on Nile Waters Amidst GERD Tensions CAIRO — In a display of solidarity, Egypt and Sudan held crucial discussions on Wednesday, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to shared water security amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile River. This gathering, conducted under the "2+2" consultation framework, brought together key officials from both nations, highlighting their collaborative resolve. An Urgent Matter of Water Security…

Somalia and Egypt Edge Closer on Defense — With the Nile Dispute in the Background MOGADISHU — Around a long wooden table inside Somalia’s Ministry of Defense, a quiet but consequential conversation unfolded this week. Somalia’s deputy defense minister and senior generals received Egypt’s defense attaché, Col. Ahmed Fathi Abdelsatar Al-Husseini, to discuss tighter military cooperation: more joint training, deeper coordination, and, according to Somali officials, a possible Egyptian role within the African Union’s security…

Egypt's New Military Presence in Somalia: A Strategic Shift in the Horn of Africa MOGADISHU, Somalia — In a move signaling changing tides in Horn of Africa politics, Egypt is stepping up its military partnership with Somalia. This development has implications far beyond the immediate region, marking a crucial phase in Egypt's geopolitical maneuvering. Changing Dynamics in the Horn of Africa Egypt's decision to deploy troops to Somalia as part of the African Union's Support and Stabilization Mission (AUSSOM) is not just about…

The head of Ethiopia Electric Power, Asheber Balcha, recently expressed concerns over Egypt's actions regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydroelectric project in Africa. Balcha accused Egypt of "scrambling to create hurdles" just as the dam nears its operational launch—a project deeply tied to the Nile River, a vital water source for Egypt and its neighbors. This statement comes at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions in the region. While visiting Uganda, the Egyptian foreign minister…

Ethiopia recently called in Sudan's ambassador for a stern chat over rather fiery remarks made by Sudan’s acting foreign minister. During a lively television interview, Ali Youssif hinted at the possibility of siding with Egypt and potentially going to war with Ethiopia if the talks around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) hit a stalemate. Ethiopia's foreign ministry didn't take too kindly to Youssif's comments. They expressed their "displeasure" to Ambassador Al-Zein Ibrahim, while underlining their dedication to…

Egypt's Al-Sisi Stands Firm on Nile Water Dispute With Ethiopia CAIRO, Egypt - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has pledged to safeguard the waters of the Nile River amidst escalating tensions with Ethiopia over the Grand Renaissance Dam constructed on the Blue Nile. Egypt has long contended that Ethiopia’s damming efforts have curtailed the water flow downstream, severely affecting countless lives across the nation. In response, Egypt proposed a measured approach to filling the dam, an idea swiftly nixed by the…

A recent study conducted by the IHE Delft Institute for Water Education sounds the alarm on how climate change is intensifying both the frequency and severity of extreme weather phenomena. This escalation is placing the world’s aging network of dams—more than 70,000 in total—under increased threat, particularly in regions marred by conflict where some structures lie neglected and abandoned. Take, for instance, the catastrophic failure of the Arbaat Dam in Port Sudan last August. The region experienced an unprecedented…

A recent parliamentary investigation has revealed a troubling lack of dam inspectors within the Department of Water and Sanitation. This alarming situation comes on the heels of the catastrophic failure of three dams in the Western Cape back in August. The aftermath of the collapse was devastating, as it displaced over a hundred individuals, wreaking havoc on their livelihoods and communities. To put things into perspective, dam owners are legally obligated to provide safety evaluations conducted by certified inspectors.…