When the news of the US secretary of Department of the Treasury’s statement broke out, Ethiopians regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, religion, and whatnot reacted angrily and lambasted the actors behind the scenes at the stroke of a pen. By the same token, aside from turning out to be the talk of the entire nation, the Department’s statement spread like a wildfire under the world skies. As the right measures are not being put in place, a question mark is hanging over the statement. No one can argue the fact that any of the Nile’s hydrological catchments stretch out in interior Egypt causing harm to Ethiopia from time to time.
To the surprise of everyone, over and over again, Egypt makes use of most of the rivers’ yearly discharge as per its wishes. The very agreement that gave the green light Egypt to take delivery of three or four times as much water as the Sudan alludes to “Full utilization” and “full control of the river.” But dejectedly the country contributes virtually nothing to the flow of the Nile River. This reality on the ground is still in the controversial stage. To the surprise of everyone, other than adding fuel to the fire, and fanning the flames no one has managed to come up with a lasting solution. According to some sources, the principle of reasonable and equitable utilization of international rivers requires that parties identify each party’s share of the water resources shall be determined by weighting each party’s contribution to the water resource. It is crystal clear that over the entire year about 86% of the Nile’s water comes into existence from our country’s highlands. Moreover, White Nile contributes only14%.
More often than not whenever Ethiopia makes an effort to make use its water resources, there is no stone Egypt and its allies leave unturned to pour cold water on its effort. However, whatever happens, Ethiopia is not in the position to lend its ears given that no earthly power can twist its arms. As history dictates amid the Egyptians of the distant past, it was extensively accepted as true that the emperor of Ethiopia could shut off the waters of the Nile as one would shut off a faucet. During the reign of Amide Tsion the Muhammad Qaluran set in motion harassing the Copts in Egypt and annihilating their churches.
Their actions paved the way for protest from the Ethiopian monarch. Likewise, as the governor of the northwestern Ethiopia province of King Tekle Haimanot was so exasperated by the unceasing aggravation of the Egyptians reported to have said, “The Nile could be adequate to punish them since God has put into our hands this mighty river.” Be that as it may, Khedive Ismail too had the interest to make the Nile an Egyptian river by annexing to Egypt all the topographical areas of the basin. Even worse, he made up his mind to triumph over Ethiopia no matter what the cost may be.
However, he lived to regret that decision for the reason that the series of military expeditions he launched brought forth embarrassing conquests of Egypt. In a similar vein, on November 1875 more than 2500 Egyptians soldiers were put to rout at the battle of Gundet. Besides, some twelve thousand Egyptians soldiers were defeated at the Battle of Gura from 7 to 9 March 1876. It is worth noting that Egyptians were able to conscript military officers from a certain country in their operation against Ethiopia.
The Ethiopian Herald sat down with Dr. Moha Fara Jire, one of the most respected continental experts on Peace, Security, diplomacy and political issues. She was as well the former President of Journalists for African Reassurance (JAR) Ghana’s envoy for humanitarian. She has done her PhD in diplomacy and international relations in Europe. She talks deeply about Egypt and Ethiopia’s heating argument over the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Excerpts are below:
What is your take on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam?
To begin with, Ethiopia is a country replete with a wide spectrum of God given great rivers some of which flow further than its boundaries. More to the point, they carry billions upon billions of cubic meters of water now and then. Without a shadow of a doubt, the country’s unexploited waters could be used for irrigation, hydroelectric power and other related aspects.
Similarly, Ethiopia has long been interested in reconnoitering the potentials of taking advantage of its rivers and their offshoots as a source for irrigation, hydroelectricity, and general economic growth. I have the nerve to say, nobody can disagree with the fact that Ethiopia’s sovereign right to make use of the Nile River within its territories for development purposes devoid of triggering considerable harms to the riparian countries.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is being built with the spirit of great nationalistic enthusiasm of Ethiopians without knocking on the doors of international loaners. Without doubt, when the dam sees the light of day, it will transform the lives of Ethiopians for the better and more people will have access to electricity beyond doubt. Furthermore, when the dam becomes operational, it will help the government lessen the unemployment rate of the nation through generating quite a lot of job opportunities.
A lot has been said and written following the statement of the Secretary of the treasury on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. What do you make of it?
Ethiopia has a history of winning over colonialism; it’s healthy not to underestimate its potential. If truth be told, America has no say on African issues that is why I call the AU to do its job. I regret the fact we took our case to the siding intruders from the beginning. I am a strong believer in being continentally united, respected, connected socially, economically, culturally and politically.
Taking an African issue to the White House was a joke to me. I criticize the African Union for allowing such humiliation to take place in the history of AU’s existence, knowing Egyptians were always thirsty, even though they are geographically fortunate to have full access to the water of the Nile and will remain the same if not appreciate the utilization of the wasting water in a more beneficial way. History will tell but I reamind both sides, frankly speaking, the water is enough, so let us share the natural resources p e a c e f u l l y together. Arguing and cornering one another is madness and will only lead both of us into a high loss aversion rather than winning together. The African union should attach importance to the issue.
What should the role of AU be?
To begin with, it is not logical to witness the White House leading African issues in the US. Our forefathers have fought against colonialism and that is why the OAU was founded from the beginning to unite us all continentally, therefore, the AU has to serve and do its job. It is unfortunate to witness, African dialogues being handled by intruders who are keen to utilize again the primary resources of the continent. I remind tempted politicians, who believe this matter can be handled with fear, division or mysteriously the Western world’s way.
This is an African matter, we are historically mistaken, the western intruders are mistaken as well, believing such national pride and resources are in the hands of illegitimate leaders who are yet to hold free and fair elections to have such legitimacy to decide confidently. However, as this is a regional matter and belongs to Africa and its respected citizens, African leaders need to stay stronger than our former dedicated heroes who fought hard against colonialism of any kind. It’s time to recall, Africas are missing Kwame Nkrumah, Julius Nyerere, Patrice Lumumba, Kenneth Kwanda, Jomo Kenyatta and last but not least Emperor Haile Salassie’s forced exile and sufferings was neither a joke or seasonal politics. So let us stop relying on foreign mediators and start sharing our common prosperity, norms, and values or inform citizens if we fail to do so, so they can deal with new colonialism in the modern world.
As a final point, is there anything you would like to convey?
It is crystal clear that the COVID-19 is neither Chinese related virus nor Egyptians. To the best of my knowledge, we ought to remain United, supportive and be kind to one another without discriminating or hurting other races. Viruses have neither borders nor race relations. In the same way, the Ethiopian government should be able to keep an eye on the market price, so inflation does not cause families to suffer from malnutrition while struggling with health crises. In life it is certain to meet uncertain moments, though it is never permanent.
I, therefore, call all Ethiopians to remain truly human and not judge, blame or discriminate against others while panicking and worrying about any possible losses. Just, one thing to practice as health experts have indicated, distance yourselves from others, keep washing your hands and kindly remember to help the vulnerable ones. Since, homeless and unfortunate ones are to suffer more during this time, and difficult for them to get proper preparation; such as sanitation, water and soup, pertinent bodies should be able to stand by the side of them. Similarly, all humanitarian and aid organizations should prioritize logically the needs of those vulnerable communities, who have no access to hospitals, clean water to protect themselves from approaching disasters. Moreover, there should be special humanitarian teams, with the collaboration of WHO, who can be responsible to assist them to achieve practical help seeing that this is historically a challenging and a true testament to the existence of the dehumanized human spirits.
The Ethiopian Herald April 10/2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
