Egypt and Sudan have reaffirmed a shared position on the management of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), accusing Addis Ababa of heightening water-related risks and disregarding international law by acting unilaterally.
The announcement came during a visit by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty to Port Sudan, where he met his Sudanese counterpart, Mouhieddin Salem.
The two officials emphasized that the absence of coordinated management around the GERD had worsened recent floods in Sudan, causing severe human and material damage.
“Respect for international law and the rejection of unilateral decisions must guide the management of the Nile waters,” they stated.
Abdelatty underscored Egypt’s solidarity with Sudan, reaffirming support for its neighbour’s stability, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
He also highlighted the urgent need for a ceasefire and a humanitarian truce to alleviate the suffering of Sudanese communities affected by flooding.
These statements followed a meeting the previous day between Abdelatty and the head of the Sudanese Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan.
During that discussion, the Egyptian minister directly attributed the sudden rise in water levels to uncontrolled releases from the GERD, noting that negotiations over the dam remained stalled.
The Sudanese Ministry of Irrigation similarly cited a combination of exceptional rainfall and Ethiopian water releases as the cause of the flooding.
The joint position illustrates the growing diplomatic alignment between Cairo and Khartoum on Nile water management, presenting a united front against Ethiopia in a dispute that has become increasingly central to regional security.
Analysts note that the GERD issue is not only a matter of water resources but also a strategic flashpoint with wider geopolitical implications across the Nile basin.
As Ethiopia continues to assert control over the dam’s operations, Egypt and Sudan have signalled their determination to pursue coordinated diplomatic and legal channels to protect downstream interests, stressing that regional cooperation and adherence to international norms are essential to prevent further crises.
The convergence highlights the intensifying stakes of Nile water management, positioning Egypt and Sudan as joint advocates for negotiated solutions while warning against unilateral actions that could destabilize the region.
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