The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in its statement yesterday has disclosed that Ethiopia is ready to reach final and win-win agreement on the issues of GERD. As indicated Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have agreed to sit for the final discussion and sign an agreement by the end of this month in Washington DC.
If executed as agreed, it is a big success which Ethiopia and all other parties should celebrate as it benefits all sides directly and indirectly.
The agreement enables Ethiopia to fill the dam in four to seven years while making sure that it does not cause any significant harm against the interests of the downstream riparian.
Ethiopia has gone a long journey towards realizing the construction of the dam especially in reaching agreement with other countries that share the resource. Ever since the beginning of the dam construction a lot of dialogues have taken place all of which were either futile or reaching some level of agreement.
In all the dialogues Ethiopia has stood firm to reflect its stance of fair use among the countries. This time also Ethiopia has shown that it remains committed to its principle. It always stands firm in the face of challenges and fights for the respect of its interests and benefits without causing harm to others.
Hence the outcome of the meeting in Washington DC is an important milestone worth celebrating colorfully. The agreement is a successful progress that ushers in a bright future for the riparian countries and people.
As it is doing now Ethiopia can supply electric power for the region, which is in dire need of it. So far Ethiopia has been supplying electric power to neighboring countries from the already available power production. This endeavor of Ethiopia emanates from its deep and long ingrained belief in commitment to regional integration and mutual benefit.
Hence, the smooth progress and successful completion of GERD would add a significant impetus to Ethiopia’s contribution to the region as it increases a large amount of electric power supply.
Furthermore it is important to mention the cooperation of friendly countries like USA who ventured to host the countries for agreement.
During his recent visit to the Republic of South Africa, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had requested South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to mediate Ethiopia and Egypt over their issues on the dam. The willingness of South Africa to mediate the countries is also appreciable as African solution work better for African problems.
Last but not the least in the successful completion of the talks on the dam is the effective completion of a big chapter that can pave the way towards cooperation instead of competition and rivalry.
Now that the countries gradually move to mutual agreement and put in place harmonious relation, it is possible to guess that the countries can think about further areas of cooperation and bilateral development.
The Ethiopian Herald January 18/2020
