ADDIS ABABA – A high level national conference, which has brought together the country’s competing political party leaders to discuss the issues of the Grand Ethiopian Reminiscence Dam (GERD) was undertaken at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The conference was embarked on under the maxim “Our Dam is the Symbol of Unity and Sovereignty”.
Speaking at the opening session, Foreign Minister, Gedu Andargachew briefed leaders of the political parties on the ongoing negotiation and Ethiopia’s diplomatic efforts towards GERD.
The Dam is an emblematic manifestation that would help Ethiopia to take out its people from the quagmire of poverty using its water resources, Gedu said.
Ethiopia has passed in very reasonable and moderate tripartite negotiations during the past eight consecutive years to make clear that the construction of the Dam has no significance harm on the downstream countries as it generates hydropower.
However, Egypt has continued to undermine and create diplomatic pressure on Ethiopia, he said adding that “they are trying to maintain the hydropower hegemony and colonialist treaties which is unfair and unacceptable.”
“It is time for us to come together and stand for our sovereignty” Gedu said, adding that all political parties have to make concession leaving aside their political differences as the GERD is an issue of sovereignty.
Chairman of Ethiopian Parties Joint Council, Adem Musa said for his part that political parties are ready to support the efforts of the government at national and international level by mobilizing the entire public for the finalization of the dam.
He called on the parties to reinforce unity and avoid political polarization as the country is struggling to resolve issues related to the flagship project of the Grand Ethiopian Reminiscence Dam.
The Ethiopian Herald May 28, 2020
