— President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said Egypt faces “no problem” with Ethiopia other than the need to reach a legally binding agreement on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).

El-Sisi made the remarks during a meeting with African delegations in Cairo attending the second ministerial session of the Russia–Africa Cooperation Forum, currently underway in Egypt, according to state-run Al-Ahram. He stressed that Egypt’s only concern is safeguarding its rights to the Nile River, emphasizing that a binding legal framework is essential to prevent violations.

A few weeks earlier, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdellatty told the BBC that Cairo no longer seeks further negotiations with Ethiopia, citing 13 years of fruitless talks. He said Egypt would continue to uphold its rights under international law.

Longstanding Dispute
Over the 14 years of the dam’s construction, negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have repeatedly stalled and resumed, often with international mediation. Egypt has consistently demanded that Ethiopia sign a binding agreement on the filling and long-term management of the GERD. Ethiopia’s refusal to do so has been a central obstacle to reaching consensus.

Egypt insists on maintaining its historical share of Nile waters, a claim Ethiopia rejects. Addis Ababa argues that it will not recognize what it calls an unjust colonial-era arrangement, signed in 1959, which excluded Ethiopia and granted Egypt the majority share of the river’s waters.

The Nile supplies more than 85 percent of its water from Ethiopian territory. Egypt, which relies on the river as its primary source of water, fears the GERD will threaten its water security.

Ethiopia’s Position
Ethiopia maintains that the GERD does not endanger Egypt’s water supply. Officials have repeatedly stated their commitment to a fair and equitable agreement that recognizes Ethiopia’s share of the Nile. They argue that Egypt seeks to monopolize the river’s resources under outdated treaties.

Egypt’s Policy and Response
During Saturday’s meeting with African representatives, President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and its commitment to regional stability, according to a statement from his office.

Nevertheless, Egyptian leaders — including the president, foreign minister, and senior officials — have repeatedly warned that they will take all necessary measures to protect Egypt’s interests and water security following the completion of the GERD.

In response, Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs recently accused Egypt of “strengthening its rhetoric to spread conflict” rather than pursuing dialogue, and urged the international community to condemn Cairo’s stance.