Egypt reaffirms stance on GERD, denies maritime deal with Ethiopia
The source stressed that Egypt’s position on water security “remains firm and unchanged,” reaffirming its adherence to international law and its rejection of unilateral measures affecting Nile waters.
Mogadishu (Somali Report) - Egypt on Tuesday firmly denied reports that it is prepared to grant Ethiopia maritime access to the Red Sea in exchange for flexibility over the long-disputed Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
According to Egypt’s state-run Middle East News Agency, an official source categorically rejected what it described as “baseless and unfounded” claims that Cairo had linked Red Sea access to negotiations over the dam.
The source stressed that Egypt’s position on water security “remains firm and unchanged,” reaffirming its adherence to international law and its rejection of unilateral measures affecting Nile waters.
Cairo further underscored that governance and security of the Red Sea are limited to littoral states, describing the strategic waterway as directly tied to the national security of bordering countries.
“No other states have the right to participate in any arrangements or understandings concerning the Red Sea,” the source said, in an apparent reference to landlocked Ethiopia.
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The denial comes amid reports that Egypt had floated a conditional proposal to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, suggesting cooperation with African partners to facilitate Ethiopian sea access if Addis Ababa showed flexibility on GERD.
The reported initiative was also said to have reached Donald Trump, who has expressed interest in mediating the decade-long dispute.
The GERD has long strained relations between Cairo and Addis Ababa.
Egypt views the massive hydroelectric project as an existential threat to its water share, while Ethiopia maintains it is vital for development and power generation.
Ethiopia, landlocked since Eritrea’s independence in 1993, relies heavily on Djibouti for trade and has repeatedly signaled its strategic ambition for Red Sea access.
However, Egypt continues to insist that the Red Sea remains the preserve of its coastal states, rejecting any expanded role for non-littoral powers.
About the Author
Osman Hassan is a Senior Editor at the Somali Report based in Nairobi with over 15 years of experience in journalism. He has worked with local and international media outlets in Somalia and is an award-winning journalist. His reporting focuses on politics, security, and regional affairs in the Horn of Africa.