“We, the Ethiopian team, continue to work vigilantly in advancing our national interest,” tweeted Tuesday Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister Seleshi Bekele as he announced his departure to the U.S. to a follow-up meeting of foreign and water affairs ministers being held in the presence of the US Secretary of Treasury and the World Bank.
The Minister further stressed that he would review the results of the legal and technical teams of Ethiopia which has been negotiating with Egypt and Sudan on GERD.
Without a shadow of a doubt, the Minister’s statement is shared among all Ethiopians both at home and abroad regardless of differences in age, sex or political orientations and whatnot.
“What is our national interest?” is the question here. And the answer is clearly stipulated in Art 2 of the Declaration of Principles (DoP), signed in Khartoum on the 23rd of March, 2015.
It says, “The purpose of the Renaissance Dam is to generate power, contribute to economic development, promote cooperation beyond borders, and regional integration through generating clean sustainable energy that can be relied on.”
Our purpose is so sacred. Hence, we should never and ever succumb to any vice, trick, and pressure that may be rolling into our way as we are dead certain that the Dam will not only serve Ethiopian and Ethiopians but will also benefit downstream countries.
Ethiopia, a torchbearer of freedom in Africa, has always been pursuing the spirits of cooperation, supporting peace and strengthening mutual interdependence among African fellow brothers and sisters.
In its entire history, the country’s stances have never been shaky to this end.A case in point in this regard is Ethiopia has been transparent in all of its endeavors as far as the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is concerned.
At this stage of the negotiation, the Ethiopian team has made clear its plan regarding the filling of the Dam. With good intentions, it has clarified its plan of drought mitigation and drought management.
The country’s proposal is to fill the dam between four and seven years. Sudan is in terms of the plan. The Egyptian side; however, brings unacceptable hoax, to fill the dam in 21 years. This is totally against our national interest and sovereignty.
The Ethiopian Herald February 14/2020
