In the era of globalization where the world is becoming a small village, how two sisterly countries have failed to meet to ends? Solving water dispute and get developed together. On the ground of a fictitious colonial accord, Nile is said Egypt’s blood. It is not really fair to enjoy close to 100 percent of the sumptuousness at the expense of over 50 percent destitute. Equally benefit from resources is more enjoyable than having something in a sole abundance as it provides both parties internal serenity and peace.
Surprisingly, Egypt always says the Nile is its blood drop, what makes it Ethiopia’s useless rope? It is wondering rather if Egypt says it is equally important for us, in what way can we utilize our resource fairly and equitably? Yes, being considerate on situations especially when it comes to basic rights is tantamount to provide someone with whatever they need. Obviously, over 50 percent of Ethiopian is seriously in need of clean water and electricity, whereas over 98 percent of Egyptians enjoy clean water and electricity. How can these two extremes be reconciled? It is easy to answer. Simply allow Ethiopia entertain its basic rights on the Nile waters and let it emancipate its impoverished portion of citizens from gloomy living scenario.
Ethiopia is working from dawn to dust to reap the fruits of its effort from its brain child—the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). All the activities in this regard are being undertaken without imposing harm on downstream riparian countries. Besides, the country has been running activities taking the environmental protection into consideration. Surprisingly, over fifty million citizens that amounts to the number of peoples of Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia combined, of course, have badly demanded safe water and luminosity.
If truth be told, it is quite incredible and sordid if a place finds itself in a languishing blackout in the 21st century. Honestly speaking, Ethiopia is a harmony loving country that does not have intention to harm its neighbors and counterparts. It has also made significant contribution to environmental protection via planting tree seedlings. For instance, it has planned to plant 20 billion tree seedlings within 4 years. This shows its eagerness to imprint its green legacy for the green economy on which the world over has been embarking.
The question of damming the Nile is an urgent and stiff situation that needs to be addressed well soon. Helping almost half of the segments of the population come out of the dearth of situation due to lack of electricity is unquestionably the matter of life and death. If Ethiopia can find an optimistic neighbor which is willing to stretch a cooperative hand, it is always keen to act upon and work hard to further consolidate its bilateral or multilateral ties. This would indisputably help make the construction of the GERD real.
Otherwise, the country along with its assiduous citizenry is determined than ever before to hit the set target within the shortest time possible—make the dam a real being. No matter how sleepless and crooked some organizations and even its own citizens are, Ethiopia will not retreat for a fraction of seconds from the journey it has steeped for years to provide its impoverished citizens with clean water and electricity in particular and officially declare its rebirth.
The Ethiopian herald June 10,2020
