ADDIS ABABA – Residents of Addis Ababa and Shewa Robit called on fellow citizens to remain firm and keep on supporting the construction of GERD.
In an exclusive interview with The Ethiopian Herald, Shambel Sharew, a resident from Shewa Robit and the town’s Redd+ (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) Coordinator, reiterated that Ethiopia is one of the nation hard hit by natural disasters and conflicts and famine in a row, and to my knowledge, the intention to fill the enormous dam is to fight poverty and fulfill the power demand of a booming population. Above all Ethiopia has undeniable natural right over its own resources.
Ethiopia had been working to approach all riparian countries in a cooperative manner where some decided to turn blind on pure motives over and over.
Many countries are backing Ethiopia’s position because Ethiopia generates 86 percent of the water, and the country is constructing the dam through its own finance as well as human power.
Sudan supports the GERD construction knowing that they can enormously benefit from the construction of the Dam, including regulating irregular flows of water that often leads to devastating flood. The country will also benefit from cheap electricity from a dam 25 kilometers from its border with Ethiopia.
Responding about the negotiation attempt by USA and World Bank, Shambel pointed out that the mediation was biased towards Egypt, which is unacceptable for us.
He called on everybody to come together to support the construction of GERD because it is the flagship project that this nation could afford to fight poverty. He also commented on the concern of Cairo saying Egypt should support Nile basin rehabilitation efforts to keep the amount of water sustainable and decrease siltation.
This winter Ethiopia is planning to plant over five billion seedlings, which could bring a significant impact on rehabilitating the ecology.
Haileab Meressa, is Managing Director of Peace Journey in Africa for Development. For him, it is more than a dam for Ethiopians. “We should support it up until its final day of completion, as every Ethiopians have contributed their part regardless of religion, sex, political position.”
He further noted that the public diplomacy corps should be reorganized to clear the misinformation circulating among Egyptian politicians that wants to cultivate the Nile to their ill will.
Finally, Haileab indicated that Africa should be increasingly present in the process, and play an active role more than ever before.
The Ethiopian Herald May 13/2020
BY MENGISTEAB TESHOME
