Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi welcomed U.S. President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate Nile water disputes with Ethiopia.
Sisi said in a post on X that he responded to Trump’s letter, underlining Egypt’s concerns over water security.
The dispute focuses on Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Cairo fears could reduce the flow of the Nile.
Trump’s intervention signals continued U.S. interest in regional stability and the strategic management of the Nile’s vital waters.
Egypt has long relied on the Nile for agriculture, electricity, and drinking water, making any reduction a national concern.
Tensions have simmered for years, with both nations asserting rights over the river, complicating diplomatic solutions in the region.
Sisi’s public acknowledgment of Trump’s mediation underscores Egypt’s desire for dialogue amid rising pressures from droughts and population growth.
The letter comes as international observers watch for any breakthroughs in one of Africa’s most sensitive water disputes.
Egyptian officials have repeatedly called for binding agreements, warning that unilateral dam operations could severely affect downstream communities.
Ethiopia maintains the dam is essential for its energy needs and economic development, asserting it poses no threat to neighbors.
Experts say mediation could offer a rare path toward compromise, though decades of mistrust make negotiations delicate and unpredictable.
The Nile dispute remains a pivotal challenge for regional cooperation, affecting security, agriculture, and diplomatic relations across Northeast Africa.
Sisi’s response reflects a careful balance between defending national interests and engaging with global powers for potential solutions.
Observers say the U.S. role could either ease tensions or complicate negotiations, depending on the firmness of proposed agreements.
Both Cairo and Addis Ababa face growing domestic pressure to secure water supplies, highlighting the human stakes behind geopolitical calculations.
The dialogue illustrates how water, a shared resource, continues to shape politics, alliances, and survival strategies across the continent.
