After four rounds of meetings, the talks over the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) have stalled with Ethiopia refusing to sign the deal which it said is against its interest.
Concerning the peoples expectation for the speedy and successful completion of the dam some people indicated that the bumpy course of the talks is not likely to pose any threat against the motivation of the public. Since people consider the dam as beyond mere source of electric power every step of the talks are more likely to raise peoples eagerness for the dam to be completed sooner as per Ethiopia’s demand.
“Construction of GERD has big image on its latent function rather than manifest function. It is also a project that built strong social harmony and bond. Hence, the society still has a sprit to complete the project” says Nega Abera, Lecturer of Sociology at Jimma University.
“Like the Victory of Adwa, the GERD is also an icon, inspiration and hope for Ethiopia and Africans too. Accordingly, nothing will reduce nation’s motivation and inspiration for building the dam,” he noted.“As to me, the current generation has his/her ancestor’s blood who fought Italy and who sacrificed themselves as martyrs. Still the generation is also fighting against poverty. Accordingly, it is not as such easy task to interrupt the project by any force,” Nega added.
But as to him, the important thing is that the government should deliver tangible, clear and reliable information regarding the progress and the final agreement between the three countries for its society. Apart from Adwa’s patriots, Abune Petros can be also remembered as a symbol of Ethiopian’s commitment for prioritizing national interest.
The current generation feels indebted to the heroic deeds of the forefathers who handed them down historical heritages and the victory of Adwa that are serving as a source of pride. Hence, the successful completion of GERD is considered by the public as a way to repeat the deeds of the forefathers and calls for strong determination among the public for the success, say Nega.
Appreciating the stance of Ethiopian negotiators about the dam, Meskerem Abera Lecture at Hawassa University under History Department told The Ethiopian Herald that Ethiopians are still curious about the completion of the project. She further stated that Abiy’s government should clearly communicate with its citizen about the project.
As to her, Ethiopian scholars and politicians should also have strong and similar stance in supporting the project adding that most Egyptian scholars and politicians are working admittedly with US and they are being benefited.
Therefore, our high level politicians and scholars especially who are living in side and/or outside of Ethiopia should play a pivotal role in influencing external parts through discussing on the significance of the dam for Ethiopia and Africa too.
Currently, GERD is not only a matter of generating power but also it is an icon of the country like that of Adwa, despite some difference among them. Subsequently, Ethiopians will never retreat in completing the dam, she noted. The government of Ethiopia also recently announced that Ethiopia will never sign any agreement that harms its national interest.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 22/2020
BY HIZKEL HAILU
