Summary of "Africa Today 15 10 2025 Ambassador Gamal Bayoumy"

Africa Today: Key Issues and Updates

The episode of Africa Today focused primarily on the escalating tensions surrounding Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its impact on downstream countries Egypt and Sudan, alongside updates on the political crisis in Madagascar.

The GERD Dispute

At the opening of the 8th Cairo Water Week, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi condemned Ethiopia’s unilateral actions regarding the dam, which Egypt views as threatening its water security and violating international norms. He emphasized that the Nile is a vital resource for over 100 million Egyptians and that Egypt will not tolerate any harm to its water rights.

Key points from Egypt’s perspective include:

Demand for a legally binding agreement: Egypt insists on regulating the filling and operation of the dam, especially during droughts and floods, to balance upstream development with downstream water rights.
Water scarcity concerns: The Nile provides over 98% of Egypt’s water, with per capita availability below the UN threshold for water poverty.
Investment in infrastructure: Egypt continues to develop major water infrastructure projects to support sustainable development and agriculture.
International appeal: Egypt called on global partners to uphold justice and international law in managing transboundary rivers.

On the international front, the United States reaffirmed support for a peaceful, technical resolution to the dam dispute, emphasizing cooperation among Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia.

Interview with Ambassador Gamal Bayoumy

His Excellency Ambassador Gamal Bayoumy, former Assistant Foreign Minister, shared insights on the GERD issue and Egypt’s diplomatic efforts:

Praise for diplomatic efforts: Ambassador Bayoumy highlighted the recent peace summit in Sharm El-Sheikh as a significant success and a demonstration of Egypt’s leadership in regional diplomacy.
Ethiopia’s position: The dam is primarily for hydroelectric power generation. Ethiopia benefits from abundant rainfall and relies less on the Nile for irrigation compared to Egypt.
Concerns over dam modifications: Ethiopia’s plans to increase the dam’s height beyond initial designs raise technical risks due to unstable soil, potentially endangering Sudan and Egypt downstream.
Firm Egyptian stance: Egypt will not accept any reduction in its Nile water share, viewing it as a matter of national security and survival.
Legal preparedness: Egypt is ready to escalate the issue to the United Nations, citing international laws governing transboundary rivers, and hopes Ethiopia will cooperate.

Political Crisis in Madagascar

Madagascar is facing a deepening political crisis marked by youth-led protests over water and power shortages. Key developments include:

President Andry Rajoelina dissolved the National Assembly, blocking an impending opposition-led impeachment vote.
The move has intensified the standoff between the president, protesters, and the military.
Rajoelina fled the country for safety amid fears for his life but refuses to resign despite widespread calls for his departure.
The legality of dissolving the National Assembly remains unclear, and public dissatisfaction continues to grow.