The dispute between Ethiopia and Egypt over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

Summary, in English

The construction of large hydro infrastructures often causes severe socio-environmental issues. When the facility is projected on transboundary rivers, such as the Nile, these issues may become political and involve a much greater number of actors. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is provoking significant geopolitical tensions in the Horn of Africa since it involves two of the most dynamic and demographically relevant continental powers: Egypt and Ethiopia. Undoubtedly, the Gerd poses excellent risks to the Egyptian water supply, as the Nile accounts for more than 90% of the country’s hydro sources. Ethiopia, according to a pan-African vision, claims this project will benefit not only Addis Ababa’s national territories but also several other nations located on the shores of the Nile. On the other hand, the chauvinist approach held by Cairo’s authorities urged Egypt to reject such pan-African ideology in order to preserve regional influence. The importance of water for these two African nations, both for industrial purposes and basic human needs, has gradually increased in the last decades. The geopolitical tensions between Addis Ababa and Cairo over the final construction of the Gerd is a matter of international security. This article aims to shed light on the political strategies and the diplomatic actions of these two relevant actors in such an urgent and dangerous “water dispute”.

• Author: Filippo Verre
• Department/s: Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES); MECW: The Middle East in the Contemporary World
• Publishing year: 2022-06-10
• Language: English
• Pages: 79-92
• Publication/Series: Rivista di Studi Politici Internazionali
• Volume: 1
• Issue: 89
• Document type: Journal article
• Topic: Other Social Sciences
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 0035-6611