Water in the World: Interdisciplinary Approaches to Access and Sustainability

Stopping the Waters of Life: Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam and Nile Water Diplomacy

DIGS 220

In 2011, Ethiopia began construction on the Grand Renaissance Dam on the mouth of the Blue Nile, which, when completed, will be the largest hydro-electric dam on the African continent. Unfortunately, this has raised the ire of the Egyptian government which believes that such a project would substantially harm their own economy by decreasing their share of the waters, create electricity shortages, and deprive much needed water to farmers in Egypt. Egyptians have long treated the river as a birthright, and for just as long Egypt blocked upstream developments, relying on a "historic" right to Nile water set down in colonial-era treaties. Yet Ethiopia continues construction in the name of modernization and economic growth, which raises the question, who has more right to the Nile? Those residing where it begins, or where it ends? Relying on colonial treaties, diplomatic dispatches, and public opinion as seen in newspapers and online, this paper will use an interdisciplinary approach to discuss the role of the Grand Renaissance Dam and water rights in Ethiopian-Egyptian relations. It will also investigate diplomatic response to the claims by both nations for control of the Nile, and the environmental impact of its construction.