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Teshome Abera Tessema Addis Ababa Science and Technology University image/svg+xml https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4145-7483

Abstract

This paper examines the recent developments surrounding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its implications for Ethiopia-Egypt relations, with Somalia emerging as a central point of the conflict zone. Egypt’s historical involvement in Middle East conflicts, particularly regarding the Gaza conflict, highlights its significant role in regional diplomacy. However, Egypt’s stance on the GERD reveals a contradictory position: while it remains relatively passive in supporting Palestinians nearby, it emphasizes its historical rights over the Nile and simultaneously supports Somalia which is both geographically distant yet strategically relevant. This dynamic raises questions about Egypt’s motivations and priorities.

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Recent Developments in the Grand Ethiopian RenaissanceDam (GERD) and Its Effects on Ethiopia-Egypt Relations: Somalia as the Epicenter of Conflict. (2025). The Thinker, 103(2), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.36615/3kprg291