Addis Ababa, Ethiopia| Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has officially announced the completion of the water filling process for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a milestone in the decade-long dispute involving Egypt and Sudan over Nile water resources.
Speaking before Ethiopian legislators on Thursday, Abiy stated that GERD has now reached full capacity, stressing that the process did not negatively impact Egypt’s Aswan High Dam.
“Now GERD is 100% full, the same as the Aswan Dam,” Abiy declared. He assured Egyptian officials that Ethiopia’s reservoir operations had not deprived Egypt of water.
“I told President [Abdel Fattah] Sisi that during the filling of GERD, the Aswan Dam would not lose a single liter of water,” he added.
A Call for Cooperation Amid Longstanding Disputes
Acknowledging Egypt’s concerns over potential droughts and water security, Abiy reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to regional cooperation rather than confrontation.
“They shared their concerns about drought,” he said, referring to past discussions with Egyptian officials.
He emphasized that Ethiopia seeks a collaborative relationship with Egypt, urging both sides to focus on shared development rather than disputes.
“We do not believe there is any issue to fight over or to spend resources on disputes,” Abiy stated, calling on Egyptian leaders to prioritize mutual progress.
His remarks come amid ongoing diplomatic tensions between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over GERD’s impact on water availability downstream.
GERD Inauguration Set for September 2025
The Ethiopian Prime Minister further revealed that GERD will be officially inaugurated in September 2025, coinciding with the start of Ethiopia’s new year.
The Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) reported that Abiy made the announcement during a parliamentary session, reaffirming his government’s commitment to completing the dam’s final stages.
“Furthermore, he underscored the significance of positive discussions with Egypt, adding that Ethiopia will continue to work together with Egyptians for the benefit of the two countries and people,” ENA reported.
A Decade-Long Dispute Over the Nile’s Waters
The GERD dispute dates back to May 2011, when Ethiopia launched construction of the massive hydropower project on the Blue Nile.
Egypt, which relies on the Nile for over 90% of its freshwater needs, voiced immediate concerns that the dam could threaten its historical water share of 55.5 billion cubic meters annually.
Sudan, also a downstream country, has expressed mixed positions over the years, at times siding with Egypt while at other times recognizing the potential benefits of the dam.
In 2015, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan signed the Declaration of Principles, a framework agreement stipulating that the dam’s construction should not cause significant harm to the downstream nations.
However, tensions escalated in October 2019 when Egypt accused Ethiopia of obstructing a final technical agreement on GERD’s operations.
Cairo called for the activation of Article 10 of the Declaration, which allows for international mediation if negotiations stall.
Despite repeated objections from Egypt and Sudan, Ethiopia has proceeded with GERD’s filling in multiple stages, arguing that the dam is essential for its energy needs and economic development.
Egyptian officials, however, have criticized Ethiopia’s unilateral approach, warning of potential consequences for water security in the region.
What Lies Ahead?
With the water filling process now complete and GERD set for full operation by September 2025, diplomatic efforts between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan remain critical.
While Abiy has reaffirmed his willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, Egypt continues to push for legally binding agreements on GERD’s operation to ensure minimal disruption to its water supply.
Whether the three nations can finally resolve their differences through diplomacy or if tensions will persist remains to be seen.
However, Ethiopia’s insistence on regional cooperation signals an opportunity for renewed negotiations, potentially shifting the decade-long dispute toward a more stable resolution.
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