Egypt and Sudan Welcome Trump’s Offer to Mediate Nile Dam Dispute
On Saturday, January 17, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and the Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, issued separate statements welcoming the offer. This follows President Trump’s announcement on Friday, January 16, expressing the United States' readiness to resume its role as a mediator to resolve the complex crisis between Egypt and Ethiopia.
In a message shared on social media, President el-Sisi described the Nile as the "lifeline" of the Egyptian people. He emphasized the necessity of cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on international law to protect the interests of all parties involved.
The Egyptian President also noted that he had addressed a letter to Trump highlighting Cairo's concerns regarding water security and expressed his commitment to working closely with the U.S. to reach a permanent and equitable solution.
Similarly, Sudanese leader al-Burhan voiced his support for the initiative, stating that a resolution is needed to safeguard the rights of all stakeholders and contribute to the security of the entire region.
The Nile, stretching approximately 6,500 kilometers and flowing through 11 countries, has become a focal point of intense dispute between Ethiopia and the downstream nations of Egypt and Sudan due to the construction of the mega-dam. After 14 years of construction, Ethiopia officially inaugurated the GERD on the Blue Nile in September last year.
Egypt and Sudan have consistently demanded a legally binding tripartite agreement governing the filling and operation of the dam. Against this backdrop, Trump’s mediation offer signals a renewed possibility for resolving one of Africa’s most enduring political and environmental challenges.
