US President Donald Trump has offered Washington’s mediation to help resolve the long-running dispute between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and Nile water-sharing, according to a letter sent to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
In the letter, dated Friday, Trump called for fair and transparent negotiations backed by technical expertise and a strong US role in monitoring and coordinating talks aimed at reaching a lasting agreement.
He said such an approach would help ensure “regular and predictable water releases during periods of drought and prolonged dry years” to protect the interests of Egypt and Sudan, while allowing Ethiopia to generate significant amounts of electricity. Trump noted that some of the power produced by the dam could potentially be sold or supplied to Egypt and Sudan.
Trump stressed Washington’s commitment to an agreement that safeguards the long-term water security of all three countries, saying no state should unilaterally control Nile resources in a way that harms its neighbours.
Copies of the letter were sent to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan.
Trump said resolving tensions linked to the GERD was a priority and expressed hope that the dispute would not escalate into military confrontation between Egypt and Ethiopia.
The US president has previously weighed in on the dam dispute. In July, he drew criticism during a White House meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte when he referred to US involvement in financing the dam’s construction and acknowledged its impact on Egypt, while saying his administration was working to help resolve the crisis.
