Cairo, Egypt - In highly controversial statements, Dr. Mohamed Nasr El-Din Allam, Egypt's former Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation, revealed serious dimensions of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis. He asserted that the GERD is not merely a development project, but rather an "American plan executed by Ethiopia" aimed at undermining Egypt's legacy in the High Dam and jeopardizing its water security. These statements cast a shadow over the tense regional scene, raising questions about the true motives behind the construction of this colossal dam.
Roots of the Crisis: A Plan Dating Back to the 1960s
Dr. Allam, speaking during a phone interview with "Yahduth fi Masr" (Happening in Egypt) on MBC Masr channel, explained that the American plan for Ethiopian dams dates back to 1964. He indicated that this planning was part of a larger project designed to impact Egyptian water security, within the context of the pan-Arab unity movements led by the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser in the region.
Allam asserts that the current GERD problem is not a recent development, but rather the fruit of meticulous American strategic planning and Ethiopian execution.
Egypt Under Siege: Targeting Regional Role
The former Water Minister pointed out that Egypt, being a pivotal country in the Middle East, faces complex challenges from all directions, whether in the Red Sea, Libya, Sudan, or Ethiopia. He emphasized that there are continuous attempts to "distract" Egypt and weaken its effective regional role. In this context, the Nile water issue emerges as one of the primary tools used to pressure the Egyptian state and threaten its stability.
Declaration of Principles: Was it Sufficient?
Dr. Allam also touched upon the Declaration of Principles signed by Egypt with Sudan and Ethiopia, which stipulates the necessity of reaching an agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam based on an international consultancy study. However, these principles have not been fully adhered to, exacerbating the crisis.
Trump's Statements: American Funding for GERD?
Allam's statements align with previous controversial remarks made by President Donald Trump. Trump had affirmed during a press conference that "the United States funded the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and he doesn't know why." He acknowledged that the dam has caused a problem between Egypt and Ethiopia and affects the share of downstream countries' water flow, especially during drought periods.
These statements reinforce the hypothesis of an American role in the dam's construction and its implications for regional water security.