U.S. President Donald J. Trump has announced his readiness to restart United States–led mediation between Ethiopia and Egypt over the long-running dispute surrounding Nile water sharing and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
In a letter addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Trump praised Egypt’s recent role in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and commended Cairo’s leadership in managing regional security and humanitarian challenges since October 2023. He noted that the consequences of the conflict have weighed heavily not only on Israel and Gaza, but also on the Egyptian people.
Related articles
Building on what he described as a “personal friendship” with President El-Sisi and America’s commitment to regional stability, Trump stated that resolving tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Nile is “at the very top” of his agenda in efforts to promote peace in Africa and the Middle East.
Emphasis on Shared Nile Resources
Trump acknowledged the Nile River’s central importance to Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, and affirmed that no single country should unilaterally control the river’s resources to the detriment of others. He proposed renewed negotiations supported by technical expertise, transparency, and a strong U.S. role in coordination and monitoring.
According to the letter, a potential agreement could ensure predictable water releases during droughts and prolonged dry periods for downstream countries, while allowing Ethiopia to continue generating substantial hydroelectric power from GERD. Trump also suggested that surplus electricity generated by the dam could be shared with or sold to Egypt and Sudan.
GERD Back on the Diplomatic Agenda
The GERD, Africa’s largest hydroelectric power project, has been a source of diplomatic tension for over a decade. Ethiopia maintains that the dam is vital for its development and insists it will not cause significant harm to downstream countries. Egypt and Sudan, meanwhile, have raised concerns over water security, particularly during drought years.
While African Union–led talks have dominated the negotiation process in recent years, the letter signals a possible re-entry of the United States into a more active mediation role, similar to efforts undertaken during Trump’s previous presidency.
Call to Avoid Military Escalation
Trump also warned against the risk of the dispute escalating into military conflict, describing such an outcome as deeply undesirable. He expressed hope that the GERD disagreement—described as “understandable”—would be resolved through dialogue rather than confrontation.
The letter was copied to regional and international leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Ethiopian President Taye Atske Selassie, and Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, underscoring the broader regional interest in the Nile negotiations.
For Ethiopia, renewed U.S. involvement could reintroduce external pressure but also open space for structured, technically grounded negotiations that recognize GERD’s role in regional energy integration. Analysts note that any future talks will likely hinge on balancing sovereignty, development needs, and downstream water assurances, while avoiding securitization of the dispute.
As of now, neither Ethiopian nor Egyptian authorities have officially responded to Trump’s proposal.
