US offers to mediate revived talks on Nile River water dispute

President Donald Trump has formally offered to restart U.S. mediation between Egypt and Ethiopia to resolve the long-standing conflict over Nile River water rights. The offer, made in a letter to Egypt's leader, calls for a solution safeguarding all nations and rejects unilateral control of the vital resource.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the United States is ready to relaunch diplomatic mediation efforts between Egypt and Ethiopia concerning their protracted dispute over sharing the waters of the Nile River. In a personal letter addressed to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Trump framed the offer as an extension of American commitment to regional peace and a testament to his personal friendship with the Egyptian leader.

A Call for a "Once and For All" Resolution

The president's letter explicitly stated his readiness to "responsibly resolve the question of 'The Nile Water Sharing' once and for all." Trump emphasized the "deep significance" of the Nile to Egypt's survival and prosperity, while also asserting that any final agreement must equitably safeguard the long-term water needs of all riparian states, specifically naming Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. He established a core principle for the negotiations, writing, "The United States affirms that no state in this region should unilaterally control the precious resources of the Nile, and disadvantage its neighbors in the process."

Context of a Decade-Long Standoff

The offer to mediate revives a high-stakes diplomatic effort that has seen multiple failed rounds of talks. The dispute centers on Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile. Ethiopia views the dam as crucial for its economic development and energy independence, while downstream Egypt fears it will drastically reduce its share of the Nile's water, which over 90% of its population relies upon. Sudan's position is more complex, as it could benefit from regulated flows and electricity but also faces risks from the dam's operation.

Strategic Implications and Türkiye's Perspective

The U.S. move to re-enter the fray as a mediator underscores the Nile's importance to global geopolitics and regional stability. For Türkiye, a nation that has itself navigated complex transboundary water issues, such as with the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, the principle of cooperative resource management is paramount. Türkiye has consistently advocated for diplomacy, dialogue, and technical cooperation to resolve such disputes, viewing them as preferable to conflict. The U.S. initiative, if accepted by all parties, could set a precedent for resolving other resource-based tensions through sustained international diplomacy rather than unilateral action or escalation.