BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
ADDIS ABABA- Ethiopia’s proposal to share data on the operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) to Egypt and Sudan is praiseworthy diplomatic move as it would pave way to constructive engagement in GERD talks, a renowned political science scholar said.
On last Saturday, Ethiopia formally invited Egypt and Sudan to nominate dam operators to exchange data before the second filling of the GERD in the coming rainy season.
Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) Addis Ababa University Political Science and International Relations Prof. Yacob Arseno stated that the invitation of the two countries experts to observe the operation of the dam before the second filling is a great diplomatic willingness. “It is a true diplomatic success. Inviting the experts to come and observe the dam’s progress is also an indication of Ethiopia’s confidence and generosity and it is a right thing that the country has done in a right time.”
Moreover, Ethiopia has so far rejected the demands of Egypt and Sudan to take negotiation out of African Union. The outcome of the meeting in Kinshasa didn’t benefit the two countries as the earlier meetings. Negotiations among the three countries in Kinshasa ended without progress.
“I think Sudan and Egypt have already realized that it is not appropriate for the three countries to meet one other to negotiate without the consent of each party.”
According to the scholar, if two countries want to involve other mediators, the negotiation principle is clearly stated in the Declaration of Principle Agreement that the three countries signed in 2015.
“According to the agreement, if the signatories want to invite a new mediator in the GERD talks, all of them should reach consensus and give them their consent”
Egypt and Sudan’s current activities is in a clear violation of Declaration of Principle Agreement and they are engaged in unconstructive approach in the AU-led negotiations.
The Ethiopian Herald 13 April 2021
