Ethiopia Rejects Egypt's Nile Dam Claims as "Colonial"

Ethiopia has sharply dismissed Egypt's recent statements over a major Nile River dam as "colonial-era" claims. The response marks a further escalation in a long-running dispute between the two nations. The disagreement centers on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Ethiopia inaugurated the massive hydroelectric project in September. Downstream countries Egypt and Sudan worry the dam will reduce their vital water supplies. In a statement, Ethiopia's foreign ministry said Egypt's position reflects an outdated mindset of "water colonialism." It asserted Ethiopia's right to use the Nile for its development. Egypt has historically viewed the Nile as its primary water source. The exchange is the latest in a bitter diplomatic conflict. Negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have repeatedly stalled. The three countries have yet to agree on how to manage the dam's operations during droughts.