Trump offers mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over Nile dam
Trump thanks Sisi for Gaza ceasefire role and offers to restart US mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.
US President Donald Trump has sent a letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisithanking him for his role in securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while offering to relaunch American mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
In the letter, Trump said the United States was “ready to resume mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to reach a final resolution to the issue of sharing Nile waters", stressing that resolving tensions linked to the dam was "at the top of my priorities".
Trump praised Sisi’s role in the Gaza ceasefire, writing: "I thank you for your leadership in successfully mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas."
"I recognise and admire your steadfast role in managing the many security and humanitarian challenges that the region, and your people, have faced since 7 October 2023," he added.
The US president said the war had placed a heavy burden on Egypt, stating: "This war has weighed heavily on Egyptians, not only on their neighbours in Israel and Gaza."
Referring to his earlier involvement in negotiations, Trump noted that he had led mediation efforts between Egypt and Ethiopia during his first presidential term, though these did not produce an agreement.
"In the spirit of our personal friendship and America’s commitment to peace and the wellbeing of the Egyptian people," Trump wrote, "I am ready to relaunch US mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the issue of Nile water sharing in a responsible and final manner, once and for all."
He also warned against escalation, saying: "I very much hope that this entirely understandable dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam does not lead to a major military conflict between Egypt and Ethiopia."
In the letter, Trump underlined the strategic importance of the Nile River to Egypt, writing: "My team and I understand the profound importance of the Nile River to Egypt and its people, and I want to help you achieve an outcome that ensures the water needs of Egypt, the Republic of Sudan, and Ethiopia over the long term."
He added that Washington opposed unilateral control over the river, stating: "The United States affirms that no country in this region should unilaterally control the Nile’s precious resources and harm its neighbours in the process."
Trump argued that a deal was still achievable, saying: "With the appropriate technical expertise, fair and transparent negotiations, and a strong American role in monitoring and coordination among the parties, we can achieve a lasting agreement for all Nile Basin countries."
He said a successful agreement would "ensure the release of predictable quantities of water during droughts and prolonged dry years for Egypt and Sudan, while allowing Ethiopia to generate very large amounts of electricity", adding that some of the power could be provided or sold to Egypt, Sudan, or to both.
Trump concluded by reiterating his focus on the issue, writing: "Resolving tensions around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is at the top of my agenda, as I work towards lasting peace in the Middle East and Africa."
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam in September 2025. The $4 billion project is Africa’s largest hydropower facility and is expected to more than double Ethiopia’s current electricity-generating capacity.
Egypt has described the dam as an existential threat, with the country relying on the Nile for around 97 percent of its water needs.
The country is facing a deepening water scarcity crisis driven by multiple factors, most notably the climate crisis. More than 90 percent of Egypt’s freshwater supply comes from the Nile River.