ADDIS ABABA–Ethiopia has the right to embark on filling the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam without the interference of a third party in line with the principles of equitable and reasonable utilization without causing any significant harm to other riparian countries, said a Ph.D candidate Bamlak Yideg, a political scientist at the University of Gondar.
As Ethiopia has been working day in and day out by the sweat of its brow, everything regarding the GERD is heading in the right direction and the desired goal is being achieved. “Furthermore, as the government of Ethiopia has been placing emphasis on the dam more than ever before, the intended target is being achieved despite some gaps to be bridged,” Dr. Bamlak told The Ethiopian Herald.
“It is crystal clear that the three countries Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt had reached into an agreement concerning the Declaration of Principles on equitable and reasonable utilization of the Nile,” he added.
In the same way, in addition to attaching importance to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the government of Ethiopia should place emphasis on some groups who make an effort to throw cold water on the efforts of the government now and again.
As there are no international rules that limit Ethiopia from filling the Grand Ethiopia Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia should proceed with the filling of the dam and consolidating diplomacy works.
“Ethiopia should be able to attach significance to diplomacy works in relation to the dam and familiarize the international community with the reality on the ground and win the hearts and minds of everyone in the world. At this point, Egypt is making an effort to twist Ethiopia’s arms via a wide spectrum of international organizations and other related aspects,” he continued.
When the dam sees the light of day, apart from magnifying its electricity generation capacity and earning as much as a billion dollars annually from a wide spectrum of countries, it will take the country’s economy to the next level of success beyond a shred of a doubt.
He went on to say, “Though the two countries Ethiopia and Egypt have been at loggerheads following the laying of the cornerstone for Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the situation will not lead to war by any means. War will not be an option. I do not think this will happen anytime.”
It is to be recalled that Ethiopia had withdrawn itself from the US-Mediated negotiations regarding the filling and operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam demanding more time to deliberate on the draft agreement.
The Ethiopian Herald June 19, 2020
BY ADDISALEM MULAT
