Water, Power, and the Red Sea: The Egypt–Ethiopia Conflict Explained

Jul 25, 2026 | Mohamed Osman
View Original

The conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia is often described as a dispute over a dam, but it is really a struggle over water security, historical power, national development, and regional influence. At its centre is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), built by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile. For Ethiopia, the dam is a symbol of sovereignty and economic transformation. For Egypt, it represents a potential threat to the river system on which the country depends for survival.