Egypt’s former assistant foreign minister Mohamed Hegazi has said that the second filling of the controversial Ethiopian Nile dam is part of the latter’s continuous violations to international law.
Hegazi also said that Ethiopia does not respect the interests of its partners located on the River Nile by announcing the start of the unilateral second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
This comes despite all the risks that the filling poses to the downstream countries, namely Egypt and Sudan.
In statements to Daily News Egypt, the ambassador said that Ethiopia is being “excessively selfish”.
Ambassador Hegazi said that the start of the second filling of the dam without a legal agreement represents a challenge to the regional parties and fuels the spirit of hostility.
He warned that this intransigent Ethiopian position, which violates the international norms governing the management of international rivers, has become an imminent threat to international peace and security and the stability of this highly sensitive region.
He believes that referring the Ethiopian notification that it has started the second filling and Egypt’s categorical rejection of this unilateral measure, to the UN Security Council weakens Addis Ababa’s position.
It shows Ethiopia as a country that does not respect its treaty obligations as stated in the Declaration of Principles Agreement on the GERD project, which was signed in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum, in March 2015.
Hegazi described Ethiopia’s announcement that the second filling had started as a reckless and irresponsible position. He expressed his belief that this measure would harm the country’s position with the United Nations (UN) Security Council, and would contribute to the country’s further isolation.
He said that the situation relating to the dam is at the stage of fateful decisions, and that this issue must be dealt with by all means that preserves Egypt’s water rights.
Hegazi pointed out that Article 51 of the UN Charter gives Egypt and Sudan the right to defend their national security as they see fit.
