Egypt says it approves South Sudan dam after regional reviewing studies, Minister says

Egypt has approved South Sudan’s proposed water dam after reviewing technical studies and documents submitted by Juba, Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hany Sewilam says, dismissing reports of a disagreement between the two countries over the project.

Sewilam said the proposed dam is among 36 water projects submitted under the Nile Basin Initiative, including four dam projects.

“Egypt actually approved the 36 projects. These 36 projects include four dams, including the dam mentioned by my South Sudanese colleague,” Sewilam said.

He said South Sudan submitted the required documents and technical studies, which Egypt reviewed before approving the projects.

Sewilam said Egypt assessed the potential impacts of the proposed dam and determined that they could be accommodated.

“The dam was approved as part of the 36 projects, after Egypt studied the studies submitted by South Sudan, just as it did with the other countries,” he said.

Sewilam, an Egyptian water-resources expert and professor of hydrology, is Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation. He has an academic and technical background in water resources management and has been involved in major Nile water discussions.

The minister also rejected reports suggesting that Egypt and South Sudan are divided over the proposed dam.

He said statements circulating on social media had been taken out of context and presented in a way that could create tensions between Egypt and countries in the southern Nile Basin.

“Our relations with the southern Nile Basin countries are at their best,” Sewilam said.

He said Egypt’s approach toward South Sudan and other southern Nile Basin countries is based on continued cooperation among countries sharing the Nile Basin.

Sewilam said Egypt does not use what he described as a “language of fear” when discussing its relations with South Sudan and other southern Nile Basin countries.

He also warned against attempts to reframe or edit statements made by officials in the region in ways that could create controversy over South Sudan’s dam project.

Sewilam reiterated that there is no new dispute between Egypt and South Sudan over the project, maintaining that Egypt approved the dam after reviewing the studies and documents submitted by South Sudan.

His comments seek to clarify Egypt’s position on the project and emphasize Cairo’s stated commitment to cooperation with South Sudan and other countries in the Nile Basin.