Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan have expressed willingness to continue trying to amicably resolve conflicts over plans for a gigantic Ethiopian-run hydroelectricity dam along the Nile River.
This reiteration of commitment was expressed on Wednesday, when US-led discussion was held among Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan in Washington DC. US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and World Bank President David Malpass were the facilitators.
The three nations issued a statement indicating that they would continue negotiations to be held in Washington on December 9 and January 13.They plan to find a resolution by January 15 of next year. The ministers of foreign affairs from the three countries confirmed their joint commitment to reach an inclusive, cooperative, adaptive, sustainable, and mutually beneficial agreement on the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and to establish a clear process for fulfilling that commitment in accordance with the 2015 Declaration of Principles.
The Ethiopian Herald had approached scholars to discuss the significance of the Washington’s discussion and planned negotiations for the respective countries. Kahisay Gebirehiwot, Political Science and International Relations Lecturer at Axum University, says that Washington’s discussion was significant in maintaining the national interests of all countries and it would have no difference if it had not taken place. The main thing is that the countries’ internal situation.
Especially Ethiopia’s and Egypt’s current internal political situation have been politicized creating unrest in the two countries. As to him, the views of the two countries regarding the dam are not that irreconcilable, he says.
Therefore, pressing ahead with the dam or or giving it up lies on Ethiopian internal situation. It depends on the country’s capacity. The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a political as well as the economic dam. It epitomizes Ethiopia’s capacity to stand shoulder high in a developmental feat. It is a flagship project that up turned the wrong and negative perception of affluent nations that the country could not handle such a task single handedly. In a show of unity Ethiopians from all walks of life and all corners of the country have been showing their capacity starting from the time this great dam has been launched, he noted.
“The dam will screech to a halt if and only if Ethiopia turns feeble and will see the day’s light only if Ethiopia proves robust internally,” he added. Kahisay stressed, water issue is nature-related issue. So, unless the countries use it peacefully the other ways are not advantageous, and it leads to damage. The countries have only one option, using it together.
Sultan Kasim political science lecturer at Haromaya University said on his part, the countries have been discussing for a long time and they have reached on principal agreements. The involvement of mediators US and World Bank may add some value. The discussion result will also be fruitful if it ensures the three countries’ fair advantages. But the Egyptian adamancy may not enable to keep Ethiopia’s advantage so Ethiopian delegation. So the latter need stay firm with a strong standpoint.
The discussion has not shown third party’s interference, but the US as a government and World Bank as an international organization had facilitated the discussion, it was not negotiation, he noted. Sultan added, Ethiopian internal strength allowed the dam to reach the level where it is now against skepticism regarding its success. This outcome is attributable to Ethiopian internal strength. So this strength has to continue as a springboard for the dam’s completion. And the country need to continue strong to overcome challenges.
He noted, the success of the riparian countries agreement depends on the countries’ integrity to be beneficiaries together with the spirit of considerateness avoiding “Me first”. The great dam has been under construction for years and it is going to reach the final stage. It cannot go back. So the countries could come to a better solution if they keep they keep all countries’ advantages. And he also believes that they could proceed well.
The scholars agreed that discussions and negotiations among countries have a paramount significance but Ethiopia’s internal strength for being successful over the dam is mandatory.
The Ethiopian Herald, November 10/2019
BY GENET FEKADE
