Ethiopia has rejected a joint declaration by Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia over Nile water rights, while reaffirming its interests in the Nile and strategic access to the Red Sea.
ADDIS ABABA (Somali Report) — Ethiopia on Monday pushed back against a joint declaration by Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia that called for respect for international law governing transboundary rivers and rejected unilateral measures affecting the water rights of downstream Nile states.
The four countries issued the declaration after a quadrilateral summit in New Alamein, Egypt, on Sunday, where their leaders discussed regional security, the Red Sea and other issues of common concern. The statement stressed the importance of international law in managing transboundary waterways, including the Nile, and called for prior notification, consultation and agreement on measures that could affect other states.
The declaration also rejected what it described as unilateral actions that could harm the existing water uses of Egypt and Sudan, the two downstream countries in the Nile basin. Cairo and Khartoum have long opposed Ethiopia's unilateral operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, arguing that a legally binding agreement is needed to protect their water interests.
Ethiopia's Foreign Ministry responded by reaffirming what it described as the country's legitimate interests in the Nile basin and the Red Sea. It rejected what it characterized as political pressure and coercive measures aimed at restricting those interests.
Addis Ababa has also repeatedly said that access to the Red Sea is a strategic national interest for landlocked Ethiopia. In its latest statement, the Foreign Ministry pointed to Ethiopia's geographic and historical links with the Red Sea, arguing that the country's territory lies roughly 30 miles from the coast.
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The ministry said Ethiopia would not negotiate over its sovereignty and territorial integrity and maintained that it was prepared to defend its national interests. At the same time, it said disputes over water resources and Red Sea access should be addressed through dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect, while taking geographical and historical realities into account.
The exchange comes amid a sharp deterioration in relations between Ethiopia and several of its neighbours. Ethiopia has accused Eritrea, Egypt and Sudan of supporting an opposition alliance involved in renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia, allegations the countries have denied. Ethiopia and Eritrea have also severed diplomatic ties following a series of escalating disputes, while Egypt and Ethiopia have expelled diplomats in a separate diplomatic row.
The New Alamein summit brought together Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The leaders also reaffirmed respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for disputes in the region to be resolved peacefully.
The latest statements highlight the growing overlap between disputes over Nile water, Ethiopia's pursuit of access to the Red Sea and wider security tensions in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia has maintained that it supports dialogue and cooperation, while insisting that its national interests and sovereignty must be respected.
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Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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