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Egypt rethinks water strategy, starting with new irrigation minister

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has appointed a new irrigation minister with wide experience in water resources in the context of the Nile crisis.

Nile River, Cairo
This picture taken on May 6, 2022, shows an aerial view of the Nile island of Zamalek in Cairo, Egypt. — AMIR MAKAR/AFP via Getty Images

As negotiations between Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have stalled, Cairo is focusing on rationalizing water consumption and maximizing its water resources.

On Aug. 14, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi appointed Hani Swailem, who has extensive experience in seawater desalination and water resource management, to replace former Irrigation Minister Mohammad Abdel-Aty. 

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