Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia did not reach a unified decision on the techniques of filling the reservoir of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) yet. The three countries did not reach a unified agreement on dealing with filling and operating of the dam. Due to lack of reaching agreement between the three countries the tripartite talk is paused.
After months of diplomatic impasse over the Nile, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have finally decided to resume the tripartite talks. The tripartite talk that was held in Washington was interrupted as the three countries are unable to reach an agreement. Last week Egypt announced to resume talks with Ethiopia and Sudan.
Once in his speech to the Members of Parliament FDRE Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed said timely completion of the construction of the GERD would be “a matter of life and death for Ethiopians”. “Every single day it needs a serious attention and management since it bears the finger print of every Ethiopian. Completing GERD is not only a moral responsibility but also a matter of preventing extra possible expense incurred due to the delay; Dr. Abiy said adding by completing the project on time we will gain a lot.
Advisor of trans-boundary River at the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Energy (MWIE) Engineer Tefera Beyene told The Ethiopian Herald that, Egypt’s decision to return to tripartite talks is good for all riparian states to reach an agreement. Negotiation is the only viable solutions for all. Accusing each other will rather escalate the row.
International principle stated that any nation has sovereign right to use resources found in its territory without causing any significant harm on other states. Ethiopia believes that
from the very beginning the construction of the dam started considering the benefit of all riparian states based on principles of equitable utilization of the Nile waters. There was no binding agreement that prohibits Ethiopia from doing so and negotiation is the only way to reach an agreement and benefiting all he says.
The tripartite talk must be going on as previous by protecting the interest Ethiopia without harming the down steam countries. Ethiopia is following all peaceful diplomatic paths to resolve the disputes through negotiations, based on cooperation, keenness to bring about common interests and benefits, and understanding of Ethiopia’s demands for development without harming both the Egyptian and Sudanese interests.
The agreement that would be signed on the project should ensure Ethiopia’s sustainable use of Nile River. The three countries must resolve their dispute without involvement of third party according to the 205 Declaration of Principles (DoP). The principle states that the three countries need to cooperate based on common understanding, mutual benefit, good faith, win-win, and principles of international law. Understanding upstream and downstream water needs in its various aspects.
Dr.Yacob Arsano, Hydro-Politics Lecturer at the Department of Political Science and International Relations of Addis Ababa University on his part said that any agreement related to dam must ensure the national interest of Ethiopia on the river. Ethiopia will not accept agreement that will affect its national interest.
The government of Ethiopia is ready to welcome Egypt’s idea as far as it does not harm Ethiopia’s national interests and Egypt’s idea to resume tripartite talk is supportive. As previous agreement the upcoming talk will also be held by considering riparian states without considering any significant harm, he indicated.
BY HAILE DEMEKE
