AMN PLUS-November 4, 2026
Ethiopia must reinforce its ongoing efforts and determination to continue developing its water resources through major dam projects, Mohamed Al-Arousi, Advisor to the Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, said.
He told ENA that the country would press ahead with its dam-building program, stressing that its development ambitions would not be deterred by political pressure or disputed narratives surrounding the shared river.
โWe have built dams, and, God willing, we will continue building a series of dams,โ Al-Arousi said.
He accused Egypt of mobilizing media outlets to portray Ethiopiaโs water development agenda in a misleading manner.
Al-Arousi argued that such narratives seek to generate international sympathy and support against Ethiopiaโs legitimate development aspirations.
The advisor said Ethiopiaโs continued investment in water infrastructure reflects its determination to harness its natural resources for national development. He also rejected attempts to undermine the legitimacy of its projects through what he described as political pressure and distortion of facts in this regard.
Addressing concerns raised by downstream countries, particularly over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), he said recurring accusations had failed to advance negotiations or bring the parties closer to a lasting agreement.
He questioned allegations that Ethiopia was pursuing unilateral actions, asking which parties had withdrawn from negotiations, declared the process unsuccessful and suspended it without establishing a clear path for its resumption.
โWho is refusing to negotiate and insisting on unilateral practices?โ he asked, recalling Egypt repeatedly obstructing trilateral negotiations.
