Following the United States Department of the Treasury’s advice that impedes Ethiopia from filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as planned in July earlier than Sudan, Egypt and Ethiopia sign the agreement, the circumstances embarked on missing the intended target and getting off the track at the stroke of a pen.
There is no gainsaying the fact that Egypt strongly believes that the United States of America would make Ethiopia not to move ahead with plans to fill the Grand Ethiopian Dam before signing the agreement. One thing that Egypt needs to wholeheartedly understand is the fact that Ethiopia has the right to make use of its God-given waters for a wide spectrum of development activities.
By the same token, the United States Department of the Treasury’s statement meddles in the sovereignty of Ethiopia and makes every effort to twist Ethiopia’s arm. To be very frank, the statement does not seem to understand the fact that Ethiopia has full right and legitimacy to take advantage of the Nile River devoid of the interference of any third party.
In a similar vein, as Ethiopia knows the dos and don’ts of the international water agreements like the palm of its hand, the country will not carry out its tasks in a way that can cause immense impact to downstream countries.
To the surprise of everyone, Ethiopia contributes 86% of the waters of the Nile River from which Egypt and the Sudan have been consuming the greatest portion from time to time. Sadly, Ethiopia brings into play lower than one percent. If truth be told, Egypt contributes virtually not anything to the flow of the Nile River. Furthermore, none of the Nile River’s hydrological catchments lie in the interior of Egypt. However, the country has recourse to most of the rivers annul exoneration. Therefore, the statement does not have to turn a blind eye to this honest truth.
At the time when Ethiopia laid the cornerstone for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Project, Benishangul Gumuz on the Blue Nile River, Egypt set in motion coming up with various lame reasons targeting at pouring cold water on the construction of the dam.
However, following the United States Department of the Treasury’s statement, Ethiopian Diasporas living in the length and breadth of the world have been articulating their anger and remorse.
Of late, The Ethiopian Herald has a short stay with an Ethiopian Diasporas who goes by the name of Anteneh Melaku. He lives in Calgary, Canada. He knows the nitty-gritty of Ethiopian history like the palm of his hand. At the moment, he is volunteering at Calgary immigrant services (CIS) as translator & newcomers supporting staff, working in different security companies, and the like. He has touched upon a wide spectrum of mesmerizing issues revolving around the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and other related aspects. Excerpts are below:
What is your take on the Nile hydro-politics?
Nobody denies the fact that from its historical and geographical perspectives in the horn of Africa, the geopolitical significance of Ethiopia is undeniable.
Likewise, the Nile hydro-politics is one of the complex political schemas in the midst of quite a lot of countries for the most part between Ethiopia and Egypt. While on the subject, Egypt’s interest in the Nile River is an extension of the desire of controlling the stream of the river without a shred of a doubt. In spite of foreign and internal pressure, the long-standing domestic, religious, ethnic, regional, and political problems have been continuing to bedevil Ethiopia time and time again.
The Blue Nile River that has its headstream in Ethiopia showers Egypt and Sudan with some 86% of their water requirements. Their water necessities are a lethal weapon for Egyptian and Sudanese policymakers. It might not be surprising that Egypt would have concerns about the Nile River safety issue. As history dictates, Egypt has not ever slept to destabilize and weaken Ethiopia; even it will never destabilize Ethiopia though remains restless.
What do you think is the reason?
Before the 1870s Gura and Gundet battles took place, Egyptians managed to invade the Harar province, the eastern region of Ethiopia. It is crystal clear that every so often, they leave no stone upturned to destabilize Ethiopia. Nothing makes them happier than throwing cold water on the construction of the dam.
The major Egyptian military presence came to pass in1850. But their advancement into Eritrea threatened the Eritrean and Ethiopian political circumstances. This being the case, Ethiopia reacted against the Egyptians military advancement and challenged them in Eritrea.
Following a similar fashion, in 1870s the battles of Gura and Gundet were fought. However, the Ethiopian Army emerged victorious in both battles and made them the talk of the world in the shortest possible time. At that specific point, Egypt’s main concern was not Eritrea but Lake Tana, the head-stream of the Blue Nile River.
After Italia left Eritrea, Emperor Haileselassie managed to confederate Eritrea with its motherland. As time went by, Egyptians diabolic action set in motion taking effect. Inch by inch, they embarked on opening their doors to EPLF separatists. Aside from showering separatists with military and political support, they were opening offices that serve different functions. They time and again were making an effort to cause massive destruction on Ethiopia’s economic, military, political, and social systems. They have also been engaged themselves in evil mannered activities to weaken Ethiopia.
Could you further substantiate it, please?
Egypt was lobbying the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and other International Finance Organizations not to lend money to any research or construction activities against the Nile River. Gloomily, because of these and other successful Egyptian diplomatic pressure, Ethiopia failed to do any visible construction except the “Great Nile Stream” research that was conducted by Americans during Emperor Haileselassie’s regime.
The 20th-century warfare has also been characterized by fierce competition over control of the Blue Nile head-stream. The Egyptians were endeavoring to preserve their old positions by creating alliances with Sudan and Arabs with the purpose of destabilizing Ethiopia and distracting our natural right of constructing dams on the Nile River and its tributaries.
How about now?
Everyone is well aware of the fact that Egyptians are the second US military aided next to Israel. Frankly speaking, their military strength might help them to be frightened amid the regions’ countries. But when it comes to the Ethiopian defense force, their military power is of no value and of little worth.
Their ambition is by hook or crook to control the source of the Nile River, establish commercial and military hegemony over the Red sea, and put at risk the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam over the Nile River. The unpredictable political and economic turbulence will continue until Ethiopia gained its full strength and start playing its role in the region.
What do you think of the religious alliance of Arabs with Egypt?
Ethiopia was the only country that welcomed Prophet Mohammed and His followers. Because of this, He had ordered His followers not to harm or fight against Ethiopians within the realm of possibility. But today, the Arab world is dreaming of making the Red Sea “The Arab Lake” by supporting Ethiopian separatists and rebels. The Arab world is a great alliance of Egypt without doubt.
Egyptians and some Arab League Members consider the Nile River as a life or death issue. A case in point, the Arab Foreign Ministers meeting that was held On March 4, 2020, at Arab League headquarters in Cairo, the Egyptian parliament speaker Ali Abdel A’al, said: “Regarding the Nile Waters, we have confidence in the ability of the political leadership to protect Egypt’s right.”
Though Ethiopia is a key player in the horn of Africa, the country does not seem to attach much significance to diplomatic works in the world arena concerning diplomacy works.
What things should be done as soon as possible?
In order to tackle domestic problems such as corruption, judicial policy, violation of human rights, lack of sense of belongingness and whatnot that pose a threat to internal peace and security, we need to bring ahead our political scientists regardless of their ethnic identity or political stance. If we bridge the gaps working by the sweat of our brows, there will not be room for external enmity or expansionist. Following this mechanism, we can achieve the desired goal in a little while with no trouble.
What is your say on the impact of western power against Ethiopian Interests?
Ethiopia’s and western countries’ relationships have been erratic owing to the different ideologies Ethiopian governments had imposed. I believe that the main Ethiopian diplomatic achievement was emperor Menilik’s diplomacy to remain the great western power (the US, British, and France) to be isolated after the great Adwa victory. His primary concern was the security of Ethiopia’s traditional borders. He was successful to establish relationships with these countries. Surprisingly, he used to treat these powers to restore his power on neighboring regions which were invaded by British and France colonialists.
Haileselassie’s and Mengistu’s governments’ relations with the West had been centered on economic and military cooperation. But Ethiopia’s diplomatic links with the west was ruined during the Derg regime due to its alliance with the Soviet camp. But after EPRDF came to power, the west policy against Ethiopia was not that clear. In a diplomatic word, it’s not explicitly stated or expressed.
What is your reflection on the western and the Nile Hydro–politics?
Nowadays, concerning the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the Trump Administration, World Bank, and IMF have disappointed Ethiopia. I would say, this stalemate has been causing the split of the Arab world and Africa.
Internal conflict in modern Ethiopian history has been a major political as well as economic catastrophe. After the 1991 regime change, some political powers’ main political objective has been gaining power by jeopardizing their country’s sovereignty. There are relationships that incorporate their narcissistic policies. The alliance of TPLF with Sudan, former Somalia, and OLF alliance with Sudan, Somalia and others, can be cited as a case in point in this regard.
As these internal bacteria have, I would say, been working hand-in-glove-with Egypt, the current regime is obviously under pressure for the most part from members of the old TPLF criminal leaders and OLF ethnic fundamentalists. These internal enemies’ sabotage is ruining the diplomatic as well as the dam’s operation and the filling of its reservoir. Therefore, the government of Ethiopia should take political measures against these bandits.
As a final point, is there anything you would like to convey?
The GERD is expected to beef up economic stability to Ethiopia. Above all, it enhances the confidence of the people and the government to achieve other major grand projects which would potentially change the lives of millions of our compatriots. Therefore, the Ethiopian government should make use of our strong public reaction to stand firm and show the world that both Egypt and Sudan will be benefited largely from the dam.
Above and beyond, more than ever before Ethiopian Diasporas living in the length and breadth of the world should work hand in hand with Ethiopian government.
The Ethiopian Herald May 29, 2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
