### Trump Reignites Nile Diplomacy: Aiming to Mediate Egypt-Ethiopia Water Dispute In a significant diplomatic move, U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to mediate the ongoing dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia regarding the Nile River waters. This offer comes in the context of heightened tensions surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), which Ethiopia has fully operationalized, raising concerns in Egypt about its water supply. Trump expressed his willingness to restart U.S. mediation efforts that had previously stalled in 2020 when Ethiopia withdrew from negotiations. His letter to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasizes a commitment to ensuring both nations can benefit from the Nile's resources, suggesting that Ethiopia could provide electricity generated from the dam to Egypt and Sudan as part of a potential agreement [https://www.livemint.com/news/world/trump-writes-favourite-dictator-sisi-offers-egypt-ethiopia-to-mediation-over-gerd-dam-nile-waters-dispute/amp-11768614405442.html][https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/africa/trump-offers-egypt-mediate-on-ethiopia-dam]. ### Structure of the Mediation Offer and Context 1. **Background of the Dispute**: - The Nile River is a critical water source for Egypt, which relies on it for about 90% of its freshwater needs. Ethiopia's construction of the GERD has been a point of contention, as it threatens to reduce the flow of water to Egypt [https://www.ndtvprofit.com/world/trump-offers-to-mediate-egypt-ethiopia-nile-dam-dispute-10767710]. 2. **Trump's Mediation Proposal**: - Trump has proposed to mediate discussions to ensure equitable water sharing, emphasizing a "successful approach" that would guarantee predictable water releases for Egypt while allowing Ethiopia to generate substantial electricity [https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/trump-offers-to-mediate-egypt-ethiopia-nile-dam-dispute-101768601450086.html]. 3. **Reactions from Egypt and Sudan**: - Both Egypt and Sudan have welcomed Trump's offer, indicating a desire for renewed dialogue and cooperation to resolve the water-sharing issues [https://www.newsday.com/news/nation/trump-egypt-ethiopia-sudan-nile-dam-r88698]. 4. **Historical Context of Mediation Efforts**: - Previous U.S. mediation efforts began during Trump's first term but collapsed in 2020. The current offer marks a renewed attempt to address the long-standing tensions over the Nile [https://www.mcall.com/2026/01/16/trump-egypt-ethiopia]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Key Points from Trump's Letter**: - Trump emphasized the importance of a collaborative approach to resolve the Nile water-sharing dispute, suggesting that Ethiopia could "give or sell" electricity generated from the GERD to Egypt and Sudan [https://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/2026/01/trump-ethiopia-gerd-electricity-egypt-sudan-mediation-sisi]. - **Impact of the GERD**: - The GERD is expected to significantly increase Ethiopia's electricity capacity, which is a crucial aspect of its economic development plans [https://www.ndtvprofit.com/world/trump-offers-to-mediate-egypt-ethiopia-nile-dam-dispute-10767710]. ### Conclusion: A Path Forward for Nile Diplomacy In summary, **Trump's renewed offer to mediate the Egypt-Ethiopia water dispute represents a critical opportunity for both nations to engage in constructive dialogue**. The following points encapsulate the situation: 1. **Urgent Need for Resolution**: The ongoing tensions over the Nile River waters necessitate immediate diplomatic engagement to prevent potential conflicts. 2. **Potential Benefits**: A successful mediation could lead to a mutually beneficial agreement that addresses both Egypt's water security and Ethiopia's energy needs. 3. **Historical Context**: The revival of U.S. mediation efforts could pave the way for a more stable and cooperative relationship between the two nations, building on past negotiations that had previously faltered. By addressing these key issues, the U.S. could play a pivotal role in fostering peace and cooperation in the region [https://www.asiaone.com/world/trump-offers-mediate-egypt-ethiopia-dispute-nile-river-waters].