Egypt and Ethiopia Tussle at UN Security Council as Nile Dam Tensions Escalate

Latest Developments

As tensions escalate between Egypt and Ethiopia over the latest filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Ethiopian Foreign Minister Taye Atske-Selassie urged UN officials to “take note of Egypt’s repeated threat to use force against Ethiopia” in a letter to the UN Security Council (UNSC) dated September 6. Ethiopia’s filling of the dam — which involves a gradual accumulation of water from the Nile river to the reservoir — is said to have a negative impact on the flow of the Nile into Egypt, decreasing the amount of water available to Cairo.

Atske-Selassie’s letter followed Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty’s disclosure that he had written to the UNSC on September 1. Egypt reiterated its objection to Ethiopia’s unilateral actions in continuing to fill the dam, claiming it poses a threat to its water supply.

“After having exhausted all amicable means, including through repeatedly resorting to the Security Council, in hopes of persuading Ethiopia to desist from its unlawful unilateral policies and accept any of the existing compromise solutions that balance the interests and rights of all parties, the Government of Egypt, therefore, stands ready to exercise its right to defend and protect the rights and interests of the Egyptian people, per the U.N. Charter,”Abdelatty stated.

Expert Analysis

“Egypt and Ethiopia’s standoff at the UN Security Council is a stark reminder of what happens in the absence of American leadership. Washington needs a coherent Africa policy — one that balances developmental needs and regional stability. Without it, the United States risks allowing regional disputes to spiral into broader conflicts that undermine both regional security and American interests.” — Cliff May, FDD Founder & President

“The letters to the UN Security Council signal a fresh escalation in the dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the GERD. By invoking the UN Charter, Cairo is positioning itself to justify potential military action, framing it as a legal and necessary action to defend its national interests. Ethiopia, on the other hand, appears to be seeking international support. This escalation is dangerous, and allies must urgently work to bring both parties back to the negotiating table.” — Mariam Wahba, FDD Research Analyst  

Egypt Deploys Weapons and Troops to Somalia

 On August 29, two Egyptian military planes carrying weapons and ammunition landed at Mogadishu airport in Somalia, Ethiopia’s neighbor, as part of Egypt’s planned deployment of a new peacekeeping mission — the consequence of a security pact signed in August 2024 between the two countries.

Days after, Egyptian troops arrived in Somalia, raising the risk of proxy military conflict between Cairo, Mogadishu, and Addis Ababa. Somalia is attempting to leverage Egypt’s military presence to pressure Ethiopia into annulling its port agreement with the de facto independent breakaway Somaliland region.

While Cairo’s move to deploy troops to Somalia is primarily motivated by the GERD dispute, it is also a strategic effort to counter Ethiopia’s growing influence along the Nile and Red Sea, waterways that are economically vital for both countries.

Related Analysis

“Egypt Deploys Troops, Weapons in Somalia, Raising Tensions in the Horn of Africa,” FDD Flash Brief

“Shabaab Mounts Large Scale Offensive, Somali Armed Forces Claim Victory,” FDD Long War Journal

“Talk Like an Egyptian,” FDD Foreign Podicy