Donald Trump believes “fair and transparent” talks can save the Nile. The former President has reached out to Egypt with an offer to mediate the dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, aiming to resolve the long-standing conflict with Ethiopia.
Trump’s vision for a deal involves a clear trade-off. He supports Ethiopia’s generation of “substantial amounts of electricity” but insists on “predictable water releases” for Egypt. He argues that this balance can be achieved through honest negotiations monitored by the U.S.
The dispute is one of the most difficult in modern diplomacy. It involves issues of sovereignty and survival. Egypt fears the dam will dry up the Nile, while Ethiopia insists it has the right to develop. Sudan is stuck in the middle.
Trump’s previous attempts to broker a deal ended in failure, but he remains optimistic. He has claimed to have “ended” the dispute, despite the reality on the ground. His recent comments describing the dam as a “big problem” show he is still focused on the issue.
This new offer to mediate suggests Trump sees a path to success. By focusing on the mutual benefits of electricity and water, he is trying to create a win-win scenario. The success of this initiative would depend on his ability to build trust.