China backs Africa’s strongest military as Egypt and Ethiopia face off over Africa’s longest river after U.S. talks collapsed

China has recently stepped in to support Egypt’s water security after United States peace talks failed. This major development comes as Egypt and Ethiopia are locked in a tense argument over the Nile River, Africa’s longest river. Cairo worries that Ethiopia’s giant new dam will take away its drinking and farming water, hurting millions of citizens.

• Egypt and Ethiopia are engaged in a tense conflict over control and use of the Nile River’s water resources.
• Egypt fears that Ethiopia’s new dam will reduce its access to water, threatening jobs and agriculture.
• Egypt has built military alliances with Ethiopia’s neighbors to isolate Ethiopia and increase pressure.
• Peace talks led by the U.S. have failed, and now China is supporting Egypt, emphasizing Egypt’s right to Nile water.

Rising tension between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Nile River

To protect its water, Egypt has signed military deals with Ethiopia’s neighbors, including Eritrea and Somalia, to try and isolate its rival.

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The Nation reported that this water fight has turned into a dangerous regional crisis.

Former Egyptian diplomat Mohammed Hegazi told The Nation that “the current situation in the Horn of Africa has created new conditions in which the issue of the dam, while still a central one, is linked to a broader and more important geostrategic situation”.

He added in that water security must look at the bigger picture, stating “it should be part of a larger vision in which the security of the Red Sea and the fair distribution of the Nile water are integrated”.

Peace talks have completely stopped. Ethiopia refused to sign a U.S.-led deal during Donald Trump’s first term.

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Michael Hanna from the International Crisis Group told The Nation that “it’s very difficult to see how the United States can force Ethiopia’s hand over the issue of the dam at present”.

Because of this, Egypt is using its military power to squeeze Ethiopia. Hanna explained to that “Egypt now wants an Ethiopia that either enters an agreement on the dam, collapses internally or suffers a meltdown”.

China is helping Egypt protect its water from Ethiopia

With the U.S. sidelined, China has chosen to support Egypt. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Cairo to sign a major agreement.

According to Egypt Today, China declared its “recognition of the vital importance of the Nile River to Egypt as its main lifeline”.

Egypt Today also revealed that China “acknowledged Egypt’s legitimate right to protect its water and food security and development interests”.

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Both countries urged Ethiopia and other upstream nations to “abide by international law, including the obligation not to cause harm”.

In return, Egypt reaffirmed its commitment to the “one-China principle,” recognizing Taiwan as part of China.