Washington (Hornpost) The Senior Advisor to the U.S. President for African, Arab, and Middle Eastern Affairs, Massad Boulos, has reaffirmed Washington’s strong commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). He emphasized that the issue should be addressed through technical solutions rather than political confrontation.
“We are working to achieve a suitable solution for all parties, particularly through a technical framework, as this is purely a technical matter that must be resolved technically,” Boulos told Al Arabiya on Monday.
He described the dispute as a matter of “life and death” between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, adding that the dam “is now a reality” after being fully completed and officially inaugurated. “A solution must be found that acknowledges this reality,” he stressed.
Boulos stated that the United States continues to encourage peaceful cooperation between Cairo and Addis Ababa, describing the two nations as bound by “a historical relationship that should never lead to hostility.”
He noted that during his recent visits to Ethiopia and Egypt, he discussed the matter with both governments, reaffirming that U.S.-Egyptian relations remain strong.
When asked about former U.S. President Donald Trump, Boulos remarked that the GERD issue “remains extremely important and strategic.” He recalled that during his first term, President Trump “worked tirelessly to help reach a solution,” referencing a nearly finalized technical agreement that was prepared for signing in Washington but ultimately stalled due to unforeseen obstacles.
The United States and the World Bank mediated those talks between November 2019 and February 2020, though similar efforts by the African Union later failed to produce results.
Asked whether Trump might once again mediate between President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia, Boulos responded:
“God willing, we will see that together. That is our goal.”
He added that such a meeting could take place “in an African framework, possibly alongside an African Union event,” stressing that the U.S. “welcomes, supports, and is ready to assist” any initiative aimed at resolving the dispute peacefully.
On Sunday, President El-Sisi warned that Egypt “will not stand idly by” in the face of what he called “Ethiopia’s irresponsible behavior” in operating the dam, vowing to take “all necessary measures” to safeguard Egypt’s water security.
Speaking during the 8th Cairo Water Week, El-Sisi stressed that Egypt’s reliance on diplomacy and international institutions, “especially the United Nations,” should not be mistaken for weakness, but rather reflects “strength, maturity, and a firm belief in dialogue and cooperation to protect the interests of all Nile Basin countries.”
His remarks come amid Egypt’s continued rejection of what it describes as Ethiopia’s unilateral management of the GERD, which Cairo and Khartoum warn could threaten the lives of millions living downstream.
In September, Egypt’s and Sudan’s Water Ministers, Hani Sweilam and Ismat Qureshi, warned that the GERD poses a threat to regional stability and violates international law. They urged Addis Ababa to reverse its actions, expressing deep concerns over structural safety, uncontrolled water releases, and poor drought management.
Egypt, which depends almost entirely on the Nile River for its water supply, says it needs over 90 billion cubic meters of water annually but currently receives only 55.5 billion cubic meters under existing agreements. According to Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, per capita water availability has dropped below 500 cubic meters per year—half the United Nations’ water poverty threshold.
Hornpost staff Reporter
Hargeisa, Somaliland
