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Last Updated: 17 Jan 2026, 08:06 am IST
Trump offers to restart US mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over Nile water sharing amid concerns over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam
President Donald Trump arrives at a dedication ceremony for a portion of Southern Boulevard, which the Town of Palm Beach Council recently voted to rename,”President Donald J. Trump Boulevard,” Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, at his Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Fla. | Photo: AP
Cairo: US President Donald Trump has offered to restart American mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over the long-running Nile water dispute, signalling a renewed diplomatic push as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam remains fully operational.
In a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Trump proposed renewed talks to address water sharing concerns, warning against escalation and stressing the need for a negotiated solution to protect regional stability.
Why is Trump offering to mediate the Nile dam dispute now?
Trump’s offer comes after Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) became fully operational and began generating electricity following its 2025 inauguration. In a letter addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Trump said the United States was ready to restart mediation efforts to resolve what he described as the “Nile water sharing” issue once and for all. Copies of the letter were also sent to leaders in Sudan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, signalling a broader regional diplomatic push.
What concerns does Egypt have over the Nile dam?
Egypt has long opposed the construction and operation of the GERD, arguing that any reduction in Nile water flow could severely affect its water security. The Nile supplies around 97 per cent of Egypt’s freshwater needs, making the country highly vulnerable to droughts or reduced river flow. Cairo fears that upstream control of the river by Ethiopia could worsen water shortages, particularly during prolonged dry periods.
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How does Ethiopia view the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam?
Ethiopia considers the GERD a vital national and regional project. The dam, located on the Blue Nile near Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, is Africa’s largest hydroelectric facility and is expected to double the country’s electricity generation capacity. Ethiopian authorities argue that the project will support economic development and provide power not only domestically but also to neighbouring countries through regional electricity exports.
In his letter, Trump suggested the possibility of “fair terms” that could include guaranteed water releases to downstream countries such as Egypt and Sudan. He also floated the idea of power-sharing arrangements, under which Ethiopia could sell electricity generated by the dam to its neighbours. Trump warned against any military confrontation, stressing that conflict over the Nile would have serious regional consequences.
Why did earlier US mediation efforts fail?
Washington previously attempted to mediate the dispute during Trump’s first term. However, talks collapsed in 2020 after Ethiopia withdrew from the negotiations, accusing external parties of bias. Since then, discussions involving African Union-led frameworks have struggled to produce a binding agreement acceptable to all sides.
Trump’s renewed mediation offer highlights ongoing concerns that the Nile dispute could escalate into a broader regional crisis if left unresolved. While Egypt has repeatedly said it prefers a diplomatic solution, it has also warned that water security is an existential issue. Ethiopia, for its part, insists the dam will not significantly harm downstream nations. Whether US involvement can bridge these differences remains uncertain.
What other diplomatic signals has Trump sent recently?
Separately, Trump has posted an official White House letter thanking President el-Sisi for Egypt’s role in negotiating a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, underscoring Cairo’s strategic importance in Middle Eastern and regional diplomacy. The Nile mediation proposal adds to a series of recent foreign policy moves by Trump aimed at reasserting US influence in complex international disputes.
(With AFP inputs)
Published: 17 Jan 2026, 08:06 am IST
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