Ruto’s Presence at Ethiopia Dam Launch Sparks Egypt’s Frustration
Ethiomonitor -Addis Ababa
September 25, 2025
Egypt has expressed frustration after President William Ruto attended the high-level launch of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), citing concerns that the event undermined ongoing negotiations over the Nile Basin waters.
Ambassador Hatem Yousri Hosni, Egypt’s envoy to Kenya, on Wednesday, September 24, said the construction of the dam violates international law and does not respect established legal frameworks.
While noting that Egypt respects the right of every Nile Basin country to benefit from the waters through electricity generation, he expressed disappointment that Kenya participated in the launch.
“We were frustrated that Kenya was represented at that event. No other country from the Basin was present only Kenya. Djibouti and Somalia are not part of the Nile Basin,” he said.
Egypt Frustrated After Ruto Attends Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Launch
The Ambassador, however, stressed that Egypt continues to regard Kenya as a genuine and trusted friend. He noted that, while South Sudan’s position has been a source of frustration, Kenya occupies a unique and elevated place in Egypt’s foreign policy agenda.
“Your benefiting from the Ethiopian dam does not harm us. Our issue with Ethiopia is not about the electricity they generate but about the Nile waters. We must reach a bilateral or trilateral agreement between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia an agreement that is binding under international law,” he said.
Egypt has long expressed concerns that Ethiopia’s dam project, located on the Blue Nile, could reduce the water flow downstream, potentially threatening its agricultural and domestic water supply.
SOURCE: The Kenya Times
