U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to resume American mediation in the long-running dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over a major dam project that could significantly affect water flows along the Nile River.
In a letter addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, Trump said the United States could help broker a lasting agreement through technical expertise, transparent negotiations, and active U.S. coordination between the parties. The letter was shared publicly on social media on Friday.
“I believe that with the right technical expertise, fair and transparent negotiations, and a strong United States role in monitoring and coordinating between parties, we can achieve a lasting agreement for all Nile Basin Nations,” Trump wrote.
What Trump Is Proposing
Trump said a successful agreement would guarantee predictable water releases for Egypt while allowing Ethiopia to generate substantial amounts of electricity from the dam. The proposal is aimed at balancing Egypt’s water security concerns with Ethiopia’s economic and energy needs.
Why the Nile Dam Remains Disputed
The dispute centers on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. Ethiopia expects the dam to dramatically boost its electricity output and support long-term development.
Egypt, however, fears the project could reduce downstream Nile water flows, threatening agriculture and drinking water supplies in a country heavily dependent on the river. Sudan, which lies between the two nations, has also raised concerns related to water management and dam safety.
Past Mediation Efforts Fell Short
Trump has previously claimed he “ended” the dispute, citing it among conflicts he says he resolved while making the case for a Nobel Peace Prize. In reality, the disagreement never escalated into military conflict, and earlier mediation attempts did not produce a final agreement.
Efforts during Trump’s first term stalled, and diplomatic engagement under the Biden administration also failed to yield a permanent deal.
Trump Revisited the Issue in Recent Remarks
Speaking at an American Cornerstone Institute dinner in Virginia last September, Trump again highlighted the dam’s significance.
“They built a little dam in Ethiopia that’s like the largest dam in the world. And it affects the water going to the Nile. Would you say that’s a problem? I would say that’s a big problem,” he said.
It remains unclear whether Trump’s renewed offer will lead to formal talks, as Ethiopia has not publicly responded.
