Introduction
Former U.S. President Donald Trump once claimed that during his presidency he had “stopped seven wars” across the world. Among the examples he mentioned was a supposed war between Ethiopia and Egypt. This raised questions internationally: Did a real military war break out between these two African nations, or was it actually a political and diplomatic dispute that Trump exaggerated for political credit?
The Ethiopia–Egypt Dispute: Root Causes
The core of the tension between Ethiopia and Egypt has been the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa, constructed by Ethiopia on the Blue Nile.
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Ethiopia’s Position: Addis Ababa has insisted that the project is vital for its national development, energy production, and economic growth. Ethiopia argues it has a sovereign right to use the Nile waters that originate within its borders.
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Egypt’s Concerns: Cairo, on the other hand, fears that the filling and operation of the dam could drastically reduce its share of Nile waters. For Egypt, the Nile is a lifeline, providing over 90% of its freshwater supply. Any reduction in flow threatens agriculture, drinking water, and the livelihoods of millions.
Thus, the dispute has been hydro-political, rooted in resource security, rather than an actual military conflict.
Trump’s Claim of “Stopping a War”
During a speech at the United Nations, Trump claimed he had stopped a war between Ethiopia and Egypt. In reality:
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There was no declared war between the two nations.
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The issue was ongoing diplomatic tension over negotiations on how quickly Ethiopia would fill the GERD reservoir and how water would be shared.
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Trump’s statement was widely seen as political exaggeration, intended to highlight his foreign policy achievements.
In fact, Trump himself had earlier inflamed the situation when he warned in 2020 that Egypt might “blow up the dam” if no agreement was reached. This statement angered Ethiopia and was viewed as reckless by regional observers.
Diplomacy vs. War
Efforts to resolve the Ethiopia–Egypt dispute have mostly taken place through:
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African Union–led negotiations
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Mediation attempts involving the United States, European Union, and World Bank
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Bilateral and trilateral talks including Sudan (another key Nile country)
Despite tensions and heated rhetoric, there has never been a formal war between Ethiopia and Egypt over the dam. Instead, the situation remains a prolonged diplomatic standoff.
Broader Context: Trump’s Other “Seven Wars”
In the same claim, Trump listed other supposed conflicts he said he helped stop, including:
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Israel and Iran
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India and Pakistan
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Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo
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Thailand and Cambodia
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Armenia and Azerbaijan
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Serbia and Kosovo
Again, many of these were not full-scale wars, but rather conflicts, flare-ups, or long-standing disputes where Trump positioned himself as a mediator.
Conclusion
Donald Trump’s claim that he stopped a war between Ethiopia and Egypt is misleading. While the two nations have had serious tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, there has been no direct armed conflict. The issue remains a political and environmental dispute, not a war.
Trump’s remarks should therefore be understood as political rhetoric, meant to amplify his diplomatic role rather than describe reality on the ground.
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