Girma Temesgen is an Ethiopian Ambassador to Turkey. He has long served in various departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia. He has recently held exclusive interview with Bariisaa newspaper, Affan Oromo weekly, published within the Ethiopian Press Agency. He talked on wide ranges of issues mainly on the River Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Herewith The Ethiopian Herald presents the English translation and excerpts of the interview.
EPA: How do you explain the relations between Ethiopia and Turkey?
Girma: Ethiopia and Turkey have strong and longtime relationship. Diplomatic relations between the two countries has started since 1912, the time when Turkey opened its Consulate General in Harar.
The first Embassy of the Republic of Turkey in Sub-Saharan Africa was opened in Addis Ababa in 1926; following the opening of the first Ottoman-Turkish Consulate General in Harar in 1912, Ethiopia opened its Embassy in Turkey in 1933. But, the latter was closed in 1984 during the Communist Derg regime; and later it was re-opened on 21 April 2006.
EPA: What’s Turkey’s stance on dispute over Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)?
Girma: Concerning the GERD, Turkey itself is an upper riparian country. It has built lots of dams similar to some upper riparian countries in Africa;. Our position resonates to other countries which believe in equitable and reasonable utilization of waters without harming the lower riparian states. This is in line with international principles.
Ethiopia is building the mega project within its territory with no intention of harming the downstream countries. Accordingly, no countries have legal ground to criticize Ethiopia and delay the mega project and stop dam filling and operation. When disagreement arises on utilization of the resource among the three countries, diplomacy is the viable solution to resolve disputes in accordance with international water laws.
The dam being built with the support and finance of the Ethiopian people is reaching power generating stage benefits not only Ethiopia in particular but also the region and the African continent at large. All Ethiopian people should stand in unity towards the completion of the dam.
Like the other countries which do not oppose the dam, Turkey also support the project. Turkey provided capacity building training for Ethiopian diplomats concerning the utilization of water. Apart from supporting the hydro politics negotiation, training is offered for the diplomats focused on diplomatic means of resolving disputes.
EPA: Ethiopia will start filling the GERD next month. As an ambassador, what is your take on this?
Girma: As diplomat and as Ethiopian citizen, I know the benefit of this mega project. Not only me, has everybody known the multidimensional benefits of the dam both for Ethiopia and the rest of regional countries. I believe the dam will never have any impact on the downstream countries.
Any country has the right to use its own resource without causing any significant harm on others. In fact, we may face challenges in using the resource but we have to strengthen our unity to overcome them.
EPA: Egypt called on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Arab League and others to intervene in the dispute over the GERD. What is your view on this?
Girma: The project is a matter of sovereignty. It is our own resource; we have the right to use it without the approval of any party. Egypt’s acts are part of its attempts perpetuate its hegemony over the river with colonial mentality. Egypt‘s move to take the matter to the UNSC is wrong and will not bring any solution. The issue must be concluded among the three countries, there is no need for third party. There is no binding agreement which prohibits Ethiopia from filling the project and it is better to talk with Ethiopia rather than seek solution from other parties. For that matter, taking the issue to the Arab league is wrong.
EPA: Egypt’s idea is to use the river alone and Ethiopia said we have to share it without harming each other, what is you refection on this?
Girma: Ethiopia is not party top the 1959 and 1929 agreements and they bring no benefit to the country. They have no moral and legal grounds to prohibit Ethiopia from using the resource.
The Egyptians want to control even future developments of the river at the expense of Ethiopians. This is an illusion hereafter and legally and morally unacceptable too. The river is found in Africa, the negotiators should also be from Africa. And to seek solution from outside is to belittle and disregard continental capacity. Holding frank discussions regarding the project and ensuring equitable and sustainable usage of the Nile waters are quite indispensable.
EPA: How do you see Ethiopia’s diplomatic activities after coming of the new leadership?
Girma: Ethiopia has cultivated strong diplomatic relations within the continent and globally. The diplomatic rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, resumption of peace in South Sudan, and the restoration of warm relation with the Ethiopian Diaspora in the political and economic affairs of the country are among major diplomatic achievements registered after the reform was introduced by the new administration.
The Ethiopian Herald June 27, 2020
BY HAILE DEMEKE
