THE NILE RIVER DISPUTE: ASSUAGING EGYPT'S FEAR OVER THE GRAND ETHIOPIAN RENAISSANCE DAM (GERD)

Abstract

The Nile River is indubitably the longest river in the world. Located in Northeastern Africa, the river
which comprises the tributaries – Blue and White Nile has for centuries been the main source of Egypt's
fresh water resource. In 2011, Ethiopia commenced the construction of the multibillion-dollar Grand
Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)on the Blue Nile which when completed, will generate the muchneeded
electricity for its economic development. Currently experiencing a fresh water deficit, Egypt
sees the GERD project as an 'existential threat' to its people who are heavily dependent on the Nile
waters for their survival. Thus, a 'Water War' between Egypt and Ethiopia is brewing over the GERD. This
paper examines the Nile River dispute with a focus on the ongoing water diplomacy to assuage Egypt's
fear over the monumental Nile dam project. For the study, the historical approach was adopted, and
data were garnered from secondary sources. It was discovered that for long, Egypt has enjoyed the lion's
share of the Nile waters. The paper concludes that Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan need to address amicably,
with the help of an honest broker, the sticking point in the negotiations on the operation and filling of
the GERD's reservoir. This will not only pave the way for a legally binding pact, but will avert further
escalation of tensions between the three riparian states, and the outbreak of a destabilizing Water War
in Northeastern Africa.