African Affairs DG Asserts Ethiopia’s Sovereign Right to Build Dams for Various Purposes

አማርኛ ትግርኛ Afaan Oromoo Af‑Soomaali Qafar Afa English Français عربي Politics Social Economy Sport Technology Environment Feature Videos About Us African Affairs DG Asserts Ethiopia’s Sovereign Right to Build Dams for Various Purposes 🔇Unmute Addis Ababa, September 24, 2026 (ENA) — Ethiopia has the sovereign right to develop its water resources and construct dams for various purposes within its territory, Ambassador Zerihun Abebe, Director General for African Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said.

Speaking to ENA, Ambassador Zerihun emphasized that Ethiopia rejects Egypt’s attempt to exercise a monopolistic approach to the Nile waters. He stressed that Ethiopia's position is based on the principles of sovereignty and equality among states.

"Ethiopia has every right to construct dams, whether for irrigation, hydropower, domestic use, or industrial purposes, anywhere and at any time within its territory," he explained.