A statement issued by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sparked widespread controversy after accusing Egypt of “clinging to a colonial-era mentality” and failing to adapt to modern realities, as tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Nile water management continue.
According to the statement, repeated remarks by Egyptian officials reflect a belief in an “exclusive right” to Nile waters based on “outdated treaties” and “baseless historical claims.” The ministry also accused Cairo of rejecting dialogue and resorting to direct and indirect threats.
The statement further alleges that Egypt pursues a policy aimed at keeping countries of the Horn of Africa “weak and fragmented” to serve its interests, describing it as an attempt to undermine regional stability, particularly in Ethiopia.
This latest escalation comes amid the longstanding dispute between the two nations over the operation of the Ethiopian dam, with Egypt insisting on safeguarding its historical share of Nile waters, based on the 1959 agreement with Sudan.
The Ethiopian statement triggered heated debate on social media, where activists from both countries offered contrasting interpretations of the political context, motives, and timing of the remarks.
