Ethiopian negotiators on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have provided effective terms of deals by reducing major technical gaps and developing the consensus among the respective countries’ delegations.
Dr. Eng. Sileshi Bekele Minister of Water, Energy and Irrigation said that negotiations are being conducted based on the principle of equitable way that would not compromise Ethiopian national interest. And he said that it cannot negatively affect any country’s interest.
“The three countries are dealing with four major documents. They have ironed out their major differences on technical issues during the meeting held in Washington last week. And there are minor issues postponed to be resolved.”
It is noted that the legal team of the three countries is preparing documents on the remaining items, including legal provisions such as issues related to legal clarifications on differences, coordination mechanism and data exchanges.
After the completion of the document, Ethiopia is committed to sign the agreement which the three countries are scheduled to sign by the end of this month. But doubts have been going in the rumor mill regarding the issue of keeping Ethiopia’s national interest.
Dr. Abebe Aynete, Peace and Security Senior Researcher told The Ethiopian Herald that the three riparian countries’ discussion on the GERD is going well. But we can only be sure when their negotiation become final. The current situation is promising especially on their status on technical issues. But to believe everything pertaining to our national interest is the final time.
The remaining time is very short to have a final deal. It is known that the capable delegators’ group is working its best. It could create better result, he hopes. As to him, if a setback encounters the GERD the country will incur high costs. So it needs care for the remaining little dealing time and if the positive effect what Ethiopia will achieve have high impact for the future of other big projects.
Adwa is a big Ethiopian impact on Africa and other world, so this movement also has to be taken as big pan African project and there is a need to work together more.
Demeke Achiso, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relation at Addis Ababa University told EPA that Ethiopia will not fight shy from squarely presenting its case and will not compromise its national interest for the sake of decorum. The case is being seen or double checked by America and World Bank. And such a thing must not be seen as a reversal of things for Ethiopia. The countries interest will be defended by Ethiopians, he said.
He also said that the mentality that “nature has given that for me” does not work. Nile cannot belong only to Egypt; it also cannot be only for Sudan nor could it be for Ethiopia alone.
The good thing is that Ethiopia has always the same stance on using resource together and developing it together. The international law also supports this stance of Ethiopian. Ethiopia, from where the larger portion of the water emanates, is never heard saying the water is only for me. So there is a call for a spirit of coordination. He noted, we have capable negotiators and need to support them in the remaining time for the sake of national interest.
The Ethiopian Herald Sunday Edition, February 9/2020
BY GENET FEKADE
