Cooperation is the order of the day and confrontation is the habit of the past. When we see the current relations in the Nile Basin, one can simply understand the fact that the former defines Ethiopia while the latter that of Egypt.
The diametrical opposite approaches adopted each country is getting clearer lately. Though the construction of the dam is meant to be a hallmark of regional economic cooperation, Egypt is making the project a divisive one owing to its knee jerk reactions and unwise approaches.
In a stark contrast to guiding principles of international relations and even the basic tenets of diplomacy, Cairo escalates war of words and aggressive yet gibberish rhetoric over the last few months. This in fact is no different given its century-old war mongering foreign policy the country marinating towards Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular.
The 21st century is replete with modernization and the circumstances are different, the actions of Egypt have been as similar as they were before though. The dam which is being built on the Ethiopian territory, despite Egypt’s mantra, is expected to bring extraordinary benefits to ordinary and poor peoples. And the move to stop the unstoppable project is nothing but a proof that Egypt is a guardian of poverty.
GERD is a game changer project to Ethiopia’s economic development and hard– earned cure to its rising electricity demand; hence, its finalization are eagerly awaited by
millions of Ethiopians. However, Cairo has been stubbornly trying to tarnish the very true cause of the dam and is working relentlessly to perpetuate the historic blunder of solely utilizing the common resources.
In what could be dubbed as an act of belligerence, the last few days have seen a mounting war mongering statements from some Egyptians who openly called for waging war against Ethiopia.
These; however, are doomed to fail. Ethiopia is more than ready and has all the potent to defend its interests-be it in war or diplomacy. Above all, the mysteries behind victory are the true causes and determinations to fairness and equality.
Victory has been, in fact, on the side of those who stand for truth and common cause and history has it that no country including Egypt won a war while their main intention is to perpetuate years of injustice. For that matter, Nile can and should not be sources of war and conflict. But if external threats are imminent, Ethiopia has all what it takes to defend its national interests and neutralize threats.
The Ethiopian Herald June 19, 2020
