Faith Nyasuguta
Egypt and Sudan have publicly welcomed a renewed offer by U.S. President Donald Trump to mediate long-running negotiations with Ethiopia over the contentious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and how Nile River waters are shared. The intervention comes as tensions remain high among the three countries following the completion and inauguration of the massive hydroelectric project in late 2025.
In a letter dated January 16 and addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, President Trump offered to restart U.S.-led mediation efforts “to responsibly resolve the question of Nile water sharing once and for all.” Trump’s correspondence, also shared publicly on social media, reiterated Washington’s desire for “fair and transparent negotiations” supported by technical expertise and close coordination. He noted that no country should seek to control Nile waters unilaterally at the expense of its neighbors.
President Sisi responded positively, expressing appreciation for the U.S. initiative and reaffirming Egypt’s ongoing concerns about water security. Egypt depends on the Nile for nearly 90 percent of its freshwater needs and views any significant reduction in river flow as a potential threat to agriculture, industry and livelihoods. Sisi emphasized Cairo’s commitment to constructive cooperation with Nile Basin states, in accordance with international law and shared interests.
Sudan’s top military leader, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, also welcomed the U.S. offer, saying Khartoum supports efforts to find a “sustainable and mutually satisfactory solution” that preserves the rights of all parties and enhances regional stability. Sudan’s concerns include assurances about how the GERD’s reservoir is filled and how its own dams and water systems might be impacted.
At the heart of the dispute is the GERD – a multi-billion-dollar project launched by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile that is expected to produce more than 5 000 megawatts of power, helping to meet domestic demand and open the door for electricity exports. Addis Ababa maintains that the dam is essential for its development, will not harm downstream countries and represents its sovereign right to utilize its water resources.
However, Egypt and Sudan have long pressed for a legally binding agreement detailing the timetable for filling the reservoir, protocols for drought years, and mechanisms for resolving future disagreements. In the absence of such a deal, past negotiations stalled in 2020 under U.S. auspices, followed by more limited African Union-led talks that also failed to bridge differences.
Trump’s initiative places the GERD dispute “at the very top” of his peace agenda for the region, and he has expressed hope that the disagreement will not escalate into armed conflict. As of now, Ethiopia has not formally responded to the renewed U.S. offer to mediate.
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