By Emmanuel Bobby
President Donald Trump has offered to revive U.S. mediation efforts between Egypt and Ethiopia over the long-running dispute surrounding Nile River water rights, a move that drew praise from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi as tensions continue to simmer in the region.
In a letter sent Friday, Trump told el-Sissi he was “ready to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to responsibly resolve the question of ‘The Nile Water Sharing’ once and for all.”
El-Sissi responded Saturday by emphasizing the river’s central importance to his country, calling the Nile “the lifeline of the Egyptian people,” and expressing support for Trump’s initiative. He said Egypt remains committed to cooperation that protects its vital interests while avoiding harm to other nations that rely on the river.
The dispute has intensified in recent years, particularly after Ethiopia began operating the $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in September. Egypt fears the massive hydroelectric project could reduce water flows downstream, threatening agriculture, drinking water supplies and overall national security.
Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation with more than 120 million people, views the dam as a cornerstone of its development strategy. The project is designed to transform the country into a major exporter of electricity and fuel economic growth across the region.
Egypt, which depends on the Nile for nearly all of its freshwater needs, argues that the dam violates international agreements governing the river’s use. Officials in Cairo have warned that rapid filling of the reservoir or increased water retention during drought years could have devastating consequences for millions of Egyptians.
The standoff has raised fears of escalation. Both countries have, at times, signaled a willingness to consider military options to defend their interests, prompting concern among regional and international observers that a collapse in negotiations could lead to conflict.
“El-Sissi reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to serious and constructive cooperation with Nile Basin countries, based on international law and the principle of preventing harm,” his statement said, stressing the need for solutions that serve shared interests.
Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, also welcomed Trump’s offer of mediation on Saturday, underscoring Khartoum’s interest in a negotiated settlement to the dispute, which directly affects its own water security.
Trump has long expressed support for Egypt’s position on the Nile. During his first term in office, he publicly warned that Egypt might take drastic action over the dam, at one point suggesting Cairo could “blow up the dam” if negotiations failed. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed responded at the time by vowing that Ethiopia would not yield to threats or aggression.
Relations between Trump and el-Sissi have been notably warm. Trump has praised the Egyptian leader on multiple occasions, including during an October visit to Egypt in which the two leaders signed an agreement related to the Gaza conflict.
Egypt’s foreign ministry said Saturday that el-Sissi is also considering an invitation from Trump to join a proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza, part of a broader, long-term U.S. initiative aimed at stabilizing the enclave and advancing regional peace.
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