Introduction The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a monumental project on the Nile, embodying Ethiopia's ambitions to address its energy deficit and propel its economic resurgence. However, since its construction began in 2011, the GERD has been at the center of a complex geopolitical dispute involving Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. While Ethiopia views the dam as a symbol of sovereignty and a critical infrastructure to bridge its energy gap, Egypt fears for its water security, as 90% of its freshwater supply relies on the Nile. The impasse is compounded by historical treaties that heavily favour downstream countries, divergent views on reservoir-filling timelines, and the broader regional instability exacerbated by competing alliances and climate change....