Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty addressed the UN General Assembly, declaring Egypt’s rejection of unilateralism concerning the Nile River and reinforcing its support for Somalia’s sovereignty. He criticized Ethiopia’s actions regarding the Nile, condemned Israeli military aggression in Lebanon and Palestine, and called for political solutions in Sudan and Libya.
During the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty voiced Egypt’s opposition to unilateral actions concerning the Nile River and reiterated his nation’s commitment to preserving Somalia’s sovereignty. He highlighted the ongoing water crisis associated with the Nile and accused Ethiopia of breaching international law by acting unilaterally in its management of the river’s waters. Abdelatty articulated Egypt’s perspective on resolving the Nile crisis, asserting that any solution should benefit all parties involved and ensure equitable usage of the water resources without prejudice to downstream nations. He firmly stated, “Egypt’s vision for resolving the water crisis was based on benefiting all parties and fair use without harm to downstream countries,” and labeled Ethiopia’s approach as a violation of international law and an exercise in unilateralism. Furthermore, Abdelatty asserted, “Anyone who thinks Egypt will compromise on any existential threat is mistaken,” referencing the contentious Nile dam issue which poses significant concerns for Egypt. On another front, Abdelatty condemned unilateral actions that undermine Somalia’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. He also expressed strong disapproval of Israeli military actions in Lebanon and called for an immediate halt to hostilities. He criticized Israel’s behavior in Gaza and the West Bank, claiming it has highlighted the failures and inconsistencies of the international community. “Israel’s brutal aggression in Gaza and the West Bank has exposed the weakness and double standards of the international community,” he stated, underscoring the pressing need for reforms within the United Nations system. Abdelatty did not shy away from outlining Egypt’s intermediary role in regional conflicts, stating, “Egypt and Qatar mediated for an agreement, but Israel obstructed the negotiations.” Additionally, he addressed the political turmoil in Sudan, reaffirming Egypt’s support for a political resolution that guarantees national unity and peace. He also advocated for a conclusion to the transitional political phase in Libya alongside the establishment of presidential and parliamentary elections.
The Nile River is a critical water source for Egypt and is a subject of ongoing geopolitical tensions primarily involving Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. Egypt relies heavily on the river for its water supply, thus viewing any unilateral actions by upstream nations, particularly Ethiopia’s construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), as a threat to its water security. The interplay of international law, regional stability, and sovereignty issues, particularly in relation to Somalia and the broader Middle Eastern conflicts, continues to shape diplomatic dialogues at forums such as the United Nations General Assembly.
Egypt’s stance reflects its unwavering commitment to its national interests in light of regional challenges, particularly regarding the Nile water crisis, Somalia’s sovereignty, and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Through diplomatic engagement at the international level, Egypt seeks to advocate for fair resource sharing and regional stability while addressing security threats posed by unilateral actions from other states.
Original Source: www.dailynewsegypt.com
