Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi asserted, on Wednesday, the justice of his country’s water cause, and in accordance with the norms of international law.
Speaking on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) issue, Al-Sisi stressed that Egypt does not change its position, and expressed his country’s respect for Ethiopia’s development project.
The President’s remarks came during the inauguration ceremony to open the New Administrative Capital’s (NAC) secured smart documents complex.
“We respect the desire of other countries to achieve development, provided that it does not affect Egypt’s share of water,” he asserted.
Al-Sisi said that Egypt is putting its efforts to not losing a drop of water, stressing that work is underway on water treatment projects for use in cultivating millions of agricultural acres.
“I have been worried about Egypt’s water resources since 2011,” he added, “We prepare ourselves well and do not throw our burdens on others.”
Whilst noting that Egypt must benefit from every drop of water, Al-Sisi directed his speech to the people of Ethiopia, saying, “We should not reach the stage of compromising a drop of Egypt’s water, and our cooperation is better.”
“I assert to our brothers in Ethiopia that all options are available,” he said.
Following public opinion in Ethiopia, Al-Sisi also said, “I noticed uneasiness with Egypt accessing water for free”
He explained that God had sent rain to Ethiopia and provided hilly lands for the water to reach Egypt, affirming that what God wants will not be changed by humans.
Al-Sisi indicated that Egypt is an ancient land that has been receiving River Nile waters without outside interference, which has led to the establishment of the Egyptian civilisation. He also stressed that no one can prevent the Egyptian civilisation from continuing.
The President said that Egypt will invest in any project that maximises the use of water, regardless of its cost. He added that his country will operate 15 water pumping stations, along with the use of treated wastewater, for use in irrigation and agriculture.
