President Donald Trump’s offer to settle a dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over Nile River waters has drawn thanks from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, as the two African nations continue their decadeslong quarrel over water security. The decadeslong dispute over Nile waters escalated in September after Ethiopia launched the $5 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, with neighboring Egypt expressing concerns about reduced water flows downstream. Egypt, meanwhile, says the dam violates international treaties and could significantly reduce its water supply if filled too quickly. The nation, which is almost entirely dependent on the Nile for its fresh water, is also concerned about Ethiopia using more water during drought years. During his first term in 2020, Trump predicted that Egypt would “end up blowing up the dam.” He said: “They’ll blow up that dam.

Source: Ethiopian News January 17, 2026 15:38 UTC