–Arabic media institutions need to be supported to give Ethiopia’s true picture
(EPA)
Ethiopia marked the ninth anniversary of launching the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) yesterday.
On the occasion, the Ethiopian Press Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy and the Office of Public Mobilization for the construction of the Renaissance Dam, had organized
a panel discussion of Ethiopian-based Arabic media experts and analysts on the dam.
Journalists working for major Arab media such as Al-Jazeera and Al-Ain took the floor to assert GERD’s significance for integrating and benefiting the Horn of Africa and beyond. They also called for strengthened Arabic media to tell the reality to the Arab world, which often confused by unabated Egyptian media campaign.
Anwar Ibrahim is Director of Al-Ain News in Addis Ababa. He says, the construction of the Renaissance Dam can boost regional integration, as Ethiopia would be able to export electricity to Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Kenya.
Upon the dam’s completion, countries of the region would benefit from it while Egypt is likely “to make sure its concerns were misplaced and incorrect,” Anwar said.
Egypt’s rejection of the Entebbe Agreement for it guarantees fair use of the Nile water, against Egypt’s colonial period mentality of claiming historical right to the waters of the Nile.
According to Anwar, Arab media in Ethiopia are marginalized and the government does not support them sufficiently. He called on
government agencies to provide them with adequate support, training and information so that they can face the challenges and respond to Egyptian media propaganda.
Hali Yahya is a Sudanese writer and political analyst on Ethiopian and Sudanese cultural affairs. He recalls how Ethiopia invited Egypt and Sudan to participate in the survey and consultations to build the Renaissance Dam, during the period of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.
He added that all the time, Sudan understand the benefits of the dam and Sudan’s position on the construction of the dam has always remained unchanged, while the Egyptian side has always believed that Ethiopia has no right to benefit from the development of the Nile Basin.
He also recalled that Egypt has been accusing of Sudan for siding with the Ethiopian government. The reality is, however, “Sudan knows that building the dam will benefit it more than Ethiopia itself.” He added that through the GERD, Sudan would be able to recover its full water share.
Moreover, he advised that Egyptians should understand that the reality has changed now, referring to the old colonial era agreements.
For Yahya, Ethiopia’s acceptance of the U.S. as an observer was a serious mistake. It should have given the chance to the African Union, which can work to resolve outstanding problems in accordance with the common interests of the three countries.
Mohamed Al-Arousi is an Ethiopian poet, writer and political analyst. He says that Ethiopia has worked to forge good and strategic relations with Egypt and paved the way to alleviate all concerns on the Egyptian side.
He added that the dam will ensure comprehensive benefits for the region and millions of people suffering from poverty and lack of electricity in Ethiopia, where studies show that 65% of the population has no access to electricity.
Indicating that Sudan has signed an agreement to purchase electricity from Ethiopia, Al-Arousi highlighted some of the benefits the Sudanese would get from GERD: reducing devastating floods that could cost her in millions; and reducing evaporation rate of 10 billion cubic meters from the High Dam in Egypt. The electric energy generated by the Renaissance Dam is very cheap which Sudan can dispense with the construction of any other dams on the Nile.
He added that building the Renaissance Dam would prevent the silt that comes
Sudan annually and costs the state in billions for maintenance of the dams there.
He said that Egypt claims of absolute ownership and historical right to the Nile waters and hence believes that it is able to influence the decision-making that govern the region.
For Arusi, Egypt used culture and politics through its media machine to attract the support of the Arab world. It has launched a fierce campaign against Sudan because it did not stand on its side during the recent Arab League resolution, condemning Ethiopia’s withdrawal from the recent negotiations on the Renaissance Dam in Washington.
Arusi says that there are a number of Arab satellite channels that Egypt cannot influence, as they convey the true picture on the issue of the Renaissance Dam. But, there is a need for developing a strong national media in Ethiopia to present the true picture of the situation in Ethiopia.
The participants in the panel discussion expressed hope that negotiations among the three countries will continue and in the long run the countries reach an agreement that satisfies all parties.
Ethiopia is already providing clean and cheap energy to Djibouti and Sudan, and it will soon deliver to Kenya and other East African countries.
The Ethiopian Herald April 3/2020
BY SAMRAYA KHASAI (ARABIC SECTION)
