BY GIRMACHEW GASHAW
Today’s guest Professor Mohammed Hassen was born and raised in Gojjam, Amhara State. When he was attending secondary school education, there were student movements which forced him to quit education. In relation to the current political quandary, there was a rumour as liberation fronts were established in the neighbouring country Sudan. Without spending time he left for Sudan to join the front.
As he arrived in Sudan, he found out the rumor to be false. He then engaged in different activities and stayed in Sudan for two years. Later, he travelled to Germany crossing European countries such as Greece, Yugoslavia, and Italy. When he was in Germany, the then military regime, Derg controlled power. Since then, he joined the student movement in Europe and waged bitter struggle. He received Masters Degree in Germany in journalism, history and politics. He has also received a doctorate degree in socio-economic there in Germany.
Today’s guest, Professor Mohammed had served Bohem University as a lecturer for the past 15 years apart from working in various institutions.
After staying for over 33 years, he returned home and worked in Addis Ababa University as lecturer in school of journalism and communications. He also contributed a lot for the establishment of Africa research institute and has been serving as the first director.
Apart from providing various services in Jimma and Civil service universities, he is the author of two books written in Amharic language. The Ethiopian Press Agency reporters had a brief stay with him raising queries related to the current affairs and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Excerpts;
I knew that you conducted study on the historical relations between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan. What is the point that correlated the three countries apart from the issue of the Nile?
In relation to history, scores of expert’s conducted studies on the matter. In the study I conducted for just two solid years, I tried to assess the issue of Nile from the major points which integrated the three countries. At times when Egyptians built their pyramid, Ethiopians have had an irreplaceable role and assisted the task going there.
As we learnt from history, prior to the establishment of Sudan, the place, known as Nubia was under the supervision of Ethiopia. Apart from the Nile waters, these countries have had historic relations which linked one another. What is more, what we understood is that these countries are linked to each other. They are acting as a country having a boundary after the coming of colonial powers.
Would you tell us the level of diplomatic relations between these countries after the introduction of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)?
Egyptians badly need to spoil the relations between these countries. They have been working to strain the diplomatic relations so as to make Ethiopia a backward country. However, Ethiopia has been registering sustainable growth via remaining a sovereign country.
Nevertheless they are not comfortable with that and tried to terminate the construction of the dam. Although Ethiopia is showing keenness to continue in the GERD deal, Egypt continued in its rigid stance.
Though Ethiopia is a source of Blue Nile and contributes 87 percent of waters to the downstream countries, it has never raised
queries of using the water independently. Despite the fact that Ethiopia and Sudan have enhanced diplomatic relations, they do not have smooth relations due to Sudan’s different stance on GERD and control Ethiopian border though it doesn’t bother about it. I do not believe that we will engage in war as a result of this as the Sudanese people have no desire to engage in war with Ethiopia.
This is my belief. So far, the two peoples have sustained long-standing relations. As to my belief, the relations should further be strengthened or enhanced despite the fact that Egypt doesn’t need it. Indeed, Sudan should protect its own sovereignty which was taken by Egypt instead of breaking the good relations with Ethiopia.
The Sudanese have no firm stance. Could we say that they failed for the stance of Egyptians?
We cannot hold such a stance. The first point we should not forget is that Egypt and Sudan have a border dispute. Second, the unsteady stance of Sudan emanates from its local political situation. Since the dictator Al Basher was overthrown from the throne, Ethiopia was playing an indispensable role so as to ensure peace and security in the country.
The power distribution between the military forces and civil authority also reached to this level by the effort of Ethiopia. Thus, the military has its own setback. During the reign of Al Bashir, the military generals had received money from Saudi Arabia for deploying soldiers to fight in Yemen.
The corrupted generals are focusing on the benefit earned but not toiling for the benefit of the Sudanese people in general. Egyptian politicians on their part magnetize Sudanese generals through providing money which makes them not
to have a firm stance. The civilians on the other hand have no interest to harm Ethiopia. Thus, the civilian government which gained the prop up of all Sudanese have soft stance.
As we all know, as it has a desire to utilize the river Nile independently, Egypt has been exerting efforts for the implementation of colonial agreement which is made with European countries. Does the agreement have an impact on the deal mediated by the African Union?
First of all, we have to ask the question where the colonial agreement comes from. Britain had prepared the document which creates quandary till today and Britain and Egypt had signed an agreement without asking the consent of Ethiopia.
This doesn’t concern Ethiopia. Upon the agreement, Egypt and Sudan have utilized the river Nile independently but now the situation cannot continue like this and Ethiopia should not be governed by this agreement when it carries out development activities on the Nile. They even know that the agreement made has no legal ground. It has not been acceptable by the AU too.
Ethiopia has the right to use its resources. Do you evaluate the effectiveness of tasks done so far in terms of promoting the country’s rights and international attention it has gained?
Understanding the political weakness, Egyptians were trying to twist the hand of the United States of America. This shows how the Egyptians are using every opportunity to gain diplomatic victory. They did not refrain themselves from knocking on every door so as to protect their interest. However, Ethiopia is a country which never have a behavior of betraying others so as to gain certain benefit. It is in a good position in terms of protecting the interest it has.
How do you perceive the effort of Egypt and Sudan to pull out the AU from the mediating role of the GERD deal?
As far as I know, Egypt used to have a sense of being African during the regime of Jemal Abdel Nasser. By then, Egypt had supported Africa liberation organizations and played an immense role in the establishment of organizations for Africa unity. After the death of Nassir, Egyptians inclined to Arab world and not gets benefit from African countries because it is not willing to do so. Now, Egypt is in a very difficult situation. Its plan was not achieved.
On the other hand, as the issue of Nile included other countries, it is hard for Egyptians to get the heart of these countries. However, Ethiopia has no such a quandary. To be frank, the perception of Arab countries towards Ethiopia has been altered. The decision of Arab League was opposed to the stance of Ethiopia and inclined to Egyptians.
Now, world politics is getting changed and resolving problems with war is an outdated task and many encourage all parties to resolve disputes through dialogue. One day, when Egypt turns its face to peaceful coexistence, the situation will be stabilized. Egypt had developed a culture prospering through impoverishing others. This has to be stopped as no one wants to return back.
Recently, Egypt and Sudan don’t want to accept the call of Ethiopia. What was their reason behind the rejection of the call?
Regarding this, some previous ministers and experts spoke to some foreign media outlets. The dam has no significant impact on Sudan and has the same stance as Ethiopia does not have the interest to significantly harm the downstream countries such as Sudan and Egypt. No one gains political profit in such away. If they came to Ethiopia, the lie of Egyptians will be vividly seen. However, Ethiopia invited the two countries to announce to the world that it has not hidden anything from its people and the world.
Do you think that they may refuse the invitation to cover their own internal political chaos?
To be frank, this is clearly seen in Sudan. We have seen the political chaos in Sudan following the visit of President Al Sisi of Egypt. He then immediately returned home cutting the visit short threatened by the situation.
To tell you the truth, Sudanese people have a clear stance regarding the GERD and the politics in Ethiopia. This may influence the military. If they go beyond this, they may put themselves in difficulties instead of bringing solutions to the problem. Though it is difficult to predict the situation in Egypt, the political insight of Al Sisi would lead him to chaos.
Things may be diverted to himself, if the people of Egypt will not get the expected result from the government. I guessed that Egypt will not engage in war with Ethiopia as the war does not benefit both sides. The people of the two countries have no desire to engage in war. However, the government of Sudan and Egypt want to create problems on their own and try to elongate the issue, but the two sides don’t put war as a lasting solution.
The construction of GERD takes additional one year from the time allotted to complete. What would be the reason for the delay? Do you think it was carried out as per the schedule?
In order to answer this question, I want to mention the theft of TPLF, putting one example. There was a project called Tana Beles which was started in the Derg regime. It was very effective. During that time the western governments put sanction on Ethiopia. The project was realized by the support of the European governments. It was the project designed to relieve Ethiopia from drought. However, British and Germany did not want the project. It was successful.
However, the TPLF destroyed it right after it took power. The then Egypt president Anwar Sadat warned Ethiopia if the nation began the construction of the dam, he would wage war. Leaders of TPLF damaged the dam in order to make Egypt delightful. It also took the money to Mekele town. This is a sad story. Thus, it is difficult to conclude that such a political party constructs for the benefit of Ethiopians.
If they intended to benefit Ethiopia, they would not have destroyed Tana Beles project. They may start the construction of GERD to warn Egypt but not realize it. If the TPLF continued as a ruling party, the problem may be alarming. However, the coming of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to power is good for the dam. Now, the construction of the dam is well under way. It reaches to the stage of completion. If the prime minister needs to lead the public to prosperity, its completion is a must. For we have to pay a sacrifice. Even If I don’t know the time of completion, it has to be completed soon.
I thank you for the explanation.
It’s my pleasure.
The Ethiopian Herald April 24/2021
