The BRICS summit in New Delhi concluded on Sunday, but strangely, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed did not meet, raising numerous questions about the future of relations between the two countries. This summit, which brings together leaders of major countries, was an ideal opportunity to try to reach solutions to the disputed water issues, but it seems that the escalating crises were too great to be resolved within a single framework.
Absence of the Meeting: Is It a Missed Opportunity?
Sisi and Abiy Ahmed stand on opposite sides regarding vital issues related to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which increasingly concerns Cairo. While Egypt hoped to gain international support for its position, the absence of a meeting complicated matters further. Observers believe that this situation reflects the depth of the divide between the two parties and indicates that peaceful solutions are still far from reach.
Sisi, representing a country that heavily relies on the Nile River, seeks to protect his nation's water rights, while Abiy Ahmed adopts a dam development policy as part of Ethiopia's plan for development. This significant gap in interests poses major challenges for the region, especially with increasing political and economic pressures.
The Uncertain Future of Egyptian-Ethiopian Relations
An atmosphere of concern prevails in political circles, as many point out that the lack of a meeting between Sisi and Abiy Ahmed at the BRICS summit may be a sign of worsening crises. In this situation, everyone is asking: Is there hope for resuming dialogue between the two sides? Or will the gap widen even more than it is now?
As the debate over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam continues, Egyptian-Ethiopian relations remain in a state of uncertainty, raising fears about the stability of the region as a whole. With each summit, hopes are renewed, but with each absence of a meeting, doubts are reinforced.
