President Abdel Fattah El Sisi told Ethiopia that Egypt would do what was necessary to protect its “historical rights and assets” if needed, referring to the new Nile dam.
Mr El Sisi fears his country will have reduced supplies of its water from the river after the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam being built by Addis Ababa starts operating.
His comments came in a televised address to the nation on Thursday in which he sought to reassure Egypt’s 100 million people after nearly a decade of negotiations with Ethiopia failed to produce an agreement on the operation and filling the dam.
There is still no legally binding framework ensuring a sufficient flow of water into Egypt during sustained drought or a system to resolve future disputes.
Mr El Sisi did not directly mention Ethiopia or the dispute over the dam, but it was implied through his choice of words and tone.
He has described his nation’s share of the river’s water, which provides 90 per cent of its needs, as an existential issue and warned that Cairo would never accept a status quo imposed on it in regards to the dam.
A significant reduction in Egypt's share could cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and upset its delicate food balance.
For Sudan, a fellow downstream nation, the impact of the dam is significantly less grave than it is to Egypt but serious enough to have Khartoum worried.
There is a risk that the hydroelectric dam could cause large-scale flooding in Sudan and the closure of its own power generation dams on the Blue Nile, if Ethiopia does not co-ordinate with operations.
“God has decreed that this generation faces challenges the likes of which Egypt had not seen throughout its modern history,” Mr El Sisi said in his Thursday address.
The speech marked the 68th anniversary of the military coup that toppled the monarchy in Egypt and ended British occupation.
Calling on Egyptians to close ranks as their country is ringed by “very grave and extremely sensitive” issues, Mr El Sisi said Egypt remained committed to upholding the values of co-operation and peace in its dealings with the world.
“But at the same time, Egypt, when the need arises, is capable of taking the necessary measures to protect its historical rights and assets,” he said.
Mr El Sisi’s comments steered clear of mentioning military action as an option to resolve the dispute with Ethiopia, but he said nothing to rule it out either.
That option is fraught with challenges and its repercussions might not be entirely in Egypt’s favour given its growing ties with Sub-Saharan Africa, and the difficulty in explaining it as an act of self-defence.
Mr El Sisi’s comments came just two days after he participated in a video conference with the leaders of Sudan, Ethiopia and South Africa which, as current chairman of the African Union, is sponsoring the talks on the dam.
The meeting did not produce a breakthrough and more talks at the level of irrigation ministers and experts are scheduled to resume at a date yet to be announced.
Ethiopia defiantly went ahead and started filling the dam this month over the objections of Egypt and Sudan, who had insisted that a deal must be in place first before that step is taken.
That first filling is unlikely to reduce their share of water given the modest amount involved.
But it set a dangerous precedent because Addis Ababa said it intended to build a series of dams upstream, also on the Blue Nile, the main tributary of the Nile.
Ethiopia sought to inject a positive note in the gloom surrounding the negotiations, saying on Tuesday that progress had been made on a deal to ease tensions with Egypt and Sudan.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office said the three nations had reached a “major common understanding that paves the way for a breakthrough agreement”.
New satellite images showed the water level in the reservoir behind the nearly completed, $4.6 billion (Dh16.9bn) Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam at its highest in at least four years.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Who are the Soroptimists?
The first Soroptimists club was founded in Oakland, California in 1921. The name comes from the Latin word soror which means sister, combined with optima, meaning the best.
The organisation said its name is best interpreted as ‘the best for women’.
Since then the group has grown exponentially around the world and is officially affiliated with the United Nations. The organisation also counts Queen Mathilde of Belgium among its ranks.
Lampedusa: Gateway to Europe
Pietro Bartolo and Lidia Tilotta
Quercus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Maxus T60
Price, base / as tested: Dh48,000
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder
Power: 136hp @ 1,600rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1,600 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed manual
Fuel consumption, combined: 9.1L / 100km
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Company Profile
Founder: Omar Onsi
Launched: 2018
Employees: 35
Financing stage: Seed round ($12 million)
Investors: B&Y, Phoenician Funds, M1 Group, Shorooq Partners
General%20Classification
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Titan Sports Academy:
Programmes: Judo, wrestling, kick-boxing, muay thai, taekwondo and various summer camps
Location: Inside Abu Dhabi City Golf Club, Al Mushrif, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Telephone: 971 50 220 0326
What is an FTO Designation?
FTO designations impose immigration restrictions on members of the organisation simply by virtue of their membership and triggers a criminal prohibition on knowingly providing material support or resources to the designated organisation as well as asset freezes.
It is a crime for a person in the United States or subject to the jurisdiction of the United States to knowingly provide “material support or resources” to or receive military-type training from or on behalf of a designated FTO.
Representatives and members of a designated FTO, if they are aliens, are inadmissible to and, in certain circumstances removable from, the United States.
Except as authorised by the Secretary of the Treasury, any US financial institution that becomes aware that it has possession of or control over funds in which an FTO or its agent has an interest must retain possession of or control over the funds and report the funds to the Treasury Department.
Source: US Department of State
Fight card
1. Featherweight 66kg: Ben Lucas (AUS) v Ibrahim Kendil (EGY)
2. Lightweight 70kg: Mohammed Kareem Aljnan (SYR) v Alphonse Besala (CMR)
3. Welterweight 77kg:Marcos Costa (BRA) v Abdelhakim Wahid (MAR)
4. Lightweight 70kg: Omar Ramadan (EGY) v Abdimitalipov Atabek (KGZ)
5. Featherweight 66kg: Ahmed Al Darmaki (UAE) v Kagimu Kigga (UGA)
6. Catchweight 85kg: Ibrahim El Sawi (EGY) v Iuri Fraga (BRA)
7. Featherweight 66kg: Yousef Al Husani (UAE) v Mohamed Allam (EGY)
8. Catchweight 73kg: Mostafa Radi (PAL) v Ahmed Abdelraouf of Egypt (EGY)
9. Featherweight 66kg: Jaures Dea (CMR) v Andre Pinheiro (BRA)
10. Catchweight 90kg: Tarek Suleiman (SYR) v Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
If you go:
Getting there:
Flying to Guyana requires first reaching New York with either Emirates or Etihad, then connecting with JetBlue or Caribbean Air at JFK airport. Prices start from around Dh7,000.
Getting around:
Wildlife Worldwide offers a range of Guyana itineraries, such as its small group tour, the 15-day ‘Ultimate Guyana Nature Experience’ which features Georgetown, the Iwokrama Rainforest (one of the world’s four remaining pristine tropical rainforests left in the world), the Amerindian village of Surama and the Rupununi Savannah, known for its giant anteaters and river otters; wildlifeworldwide.com
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
The Book of Collateral Damage
Sinan Antoon
(Yale University Press)
MATCH INFO
Iceland 0 England 1 (Sterling pen 90 1)
Man of the match Kari Arnason (Iceland)
