Ambassador Ibrahim Idris is advisor to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on Trans boundary Resources and Legal Advisor to Ethiopia’s negotiating team on [GERD]. He has also served as Ethiopia-Sudan Boundary Commission Member as well as Ethiopia’s Ambassador to Egypt. During his stay with Ethiopian Press Agency, he has elaborated on details of Ethiopia’s legal stance on GERD as per the international law and important courses that Ethiopia passed through during the series of negotiations on construction and filling of the dam. Excerpts:
How would you describe being an ambassador?
An ambassador includes the term diplomat. Therefore, ambassadorship is communicating a nation’s foreign policy on international forums. Its goal is facilitating the internal government’s efforts and development as well as gathering international aids. Beyond this, it demonstrates shaping Ethiopia’s and other nations’ relations for the benefit of Ethiopia.
An ambassador is selected from the inland and his/her major duty is showing Ethiopia’s capacity to the rest of the world. For this reason, one who can act in such a way is nominated based on the criteria on the foreign policy. He or she can exert his responsibility either at home or abroad. There is critical accountability in the position.
As to me, our country’s ambassadors are discharging their duties responsibly since if we lose diplomatically, we lose a lot.
Diplomacy is a pillar for a nation; therefore, ambassadors are exerting their efforts tirelessly. Leaving aside arguing they have done their best or not, additional works are necessary. Since the problem in which our country is not a problem that could be solved easily, it is their sole responsibility to find solution for.
You were Ethiopian ambassador to Egypt. During your tenure, what was the most memorable work you carried out?
Though listing down what you have done and appreciating yourself is not good, I have served my country in good deeds both before and during my assignment as a diplomatic.
To mention few, as I am a lawer by profession, I have done a lot on advising including my over twenty years stay at Addis Ababa University. My works on War Law, Human Rights, and Civic and Ethical Education are worth to be mentioned. I translated the currently functional War Law meaning the four Geneva War Laws and two protocols from English to Amharic. And I am one of those who prepared the Traditional War Law and those who improved half of the Civil Code at national level.
When I joined the Foreign Affairs, the nation was in four critical problems. These were: Ethio-Eritrea Boarder Conflict, Ethio-Eritrea Civil Litigation, Nile River Water Issue between Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt, and shifting the African Union Head Quarter. During all these, I have been providing legal advises and brought remarkable changes with my colleagues.
After being assigned as an ambassador, I have exerted all my efforts to improve the problems Ethiopians who fled Egypt have been facing even with the legal visas through working day and night. Similarly, I have done well on the Ethio-Egypt trade relation.
I have faced a very serious problem at this time. It was decided without an agreement not to accept any cattle or meat from Ethiopia that led to the disposal of over 32,000 Kg of meat exported by MIDROC Ethiopia. In response I refused visa for Egyptian business persons who travel to Ethiopia to import Ethiopian meat which is highly demanded there. Subsequently, concluding the agreement through reconciliation, I managed to restore the two nations’ trade relations.
Regarding the Nile, since I was one of the negotiators, although I have faced many threats, we have put it on the right track. Even currently, I am serving as an ambassador through advising the minister on boundaries and beyond boundary resources at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Especially, I am working diligently as the Legal Adviser of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and member of the Ethio-Sudan Boundary Commission.
It is regularly mentioned that Egypt is not positive for Ethiopia diplomatically. What could be their reasons?
They especially observe us as their rival on the water resource. They believe that Ethiopia is an obstacle to them although the public at large is very good. Politicians, historians, officials and journalists have spoiled the minds of the people. All have similar attitude regarding Egyptian affairs. In my five years stay, I have identified their anti-Ethiopian stance.
Their hatred is based on two things. The first one the water issue; they believe that as far as Ethiopia exists, the water utilization of Egypt is under threat. For this point of view, they do not accept cooperation.
The second one is historical issue. In the 18th century, they had the interest to invade Ethiopia. Especially, they have dreamed to control Tana surrounding through the British. All of their attempts failed causing them economic loss which led them to borrow money from European Banks to cover it. They failed to pay back the credit and fell under British colony as a result. This annoyed them.
They have inculcated this history in their people, therefore, they say, “If Ethiopia exists, we cannot drink water.” But, unless the people at large hate us, they cannot strengthen their internal force. Due to this, they try all their best to fabricate and empower enemies against Ethiopia.
Besides, what makes Egypt unique is that it has only one policy stance regarding water. And their foreign affairs policy is stronger on water resources.
In running for office, the water issue is critical agenda for their governments. For example, President El-Si Si said, “I will protect your historical water as in the constitution on article 44.” Their diplomacy observes as if we are not positive competitor suspecting that their water dominance would be overtaken by Ethiopia.
How would you explain Egyptian interference in Ethiopian affairs? And what do you think their causes are?
The source is that their mind does not accept that they have tried all the possible means but failed to weaken us. They always believe that Ethiopia will win in any aspect. Therefore, their interference is through various ways endorsing and supporting Ethiopian enemies at any cost.
In addition to this, understanding that Ethiopia can develop whatever she wanted by her internal capacity, as proved by Tekeze Dam, they dig all the possible holes to sponsor enemies against Ethiopia so that they can hinder any development in Ethiopia. Both Sudan and Egypt have tried to obstacle the construction of Tekeze Dam but they failed to stop it.
But after its completion, they kept silent and Sudan began cultivating its farmlands in both spring and summer seasons using the water as the Tekeze Dam minimized erosion.
Egypt has also declared by her Ministry of Foreign Affairs Minister that its water has increased. And even though they know this, they complain again and again altering their stances. They work tirelessly to enhance chaos in Ethiopia so that it could be destabilized and the people of Ethiopia stop the development activities. They believe that the only way to weaken Ethiopia is by lifting Ethiopia’s right to use its water for over 150 years.
Egyptians have tried to do this by force that was demonstrate in Gundet and Gurra invasion though the patriot Ethiopian fathers blood shaded them. They wanted our soils which the Blue Nile has been transporting to them.
They have also tried to fool us by money and through collaborating with the colonial powers; but they were unsuccessful. As well, they have tried to block international credits for development. Though they succeeded in that, they were not able to stop the GERD construction. They also claim that the water belongs to them [only] going against the natural law.
Recently Egypt’s prime minister appeared in the parliament and said that the second filling has not impacted Egypt. Why does he want to say that? What does it mean?
Previously they taught that they could influence Ethiopia through the task they did. They failed instead of bringing the desired change. If their people know the reality on the ground, the task done so far could not help Egypt’s authorities to stand in front of the people. Thus, they devise a system to betray the people and provide a response so as to cover their deeds.
How many things have been cleared for Egyptians? They know who stands for them or not. Even professional Egyptians have been exposing the blunder of Egyptian officials. Thus, they understood that smoothing the issue is not a task to be left for tomorrow. They changed their outlook in order to speak to their people.
With regard to the Nile waters, the 1903 and 1902 agreements between Sudan and Egypt are repeatedly raised by Egyptians. Do these agreements concern Ethiopia?
In relation to GERD, they usually raise article 3 of the 1902 and 1903 agreements. This article was put down while they negotiated with Emperor Menilik of Ethiopia and has no connection with the document. It says, it couldn’t build dams on rivers such as Tana, Abbay and Baro Acobo, without getting the consent of the British or Sudanese government. That is why they said Ethiopia opposed the agreement. However, they are clearly aware that we are not governed by the agreement. Even the international law does not prohibit Ethiopia’s right to use its own resources. They clearly understood that they do not get a technique in the negotiation or on the tasks carried out. It seems that they are returned.
How does the international law put the right of using water resources? What sort of guarantee Ethiopia has in this regard?
Fair utilization of trans-boundary Rivers is international law which forces countries to conform to. No one can take this right of Ethiopia. This is what is pointed out in the 1997 agreement. However, Ethiopia and Egypt are not member countries. As part of the world, they are governed by the law. According to this law, this right is carefully put in place in the law. Even the negotiation has been carried out as per the law.
There are about 250 trans-boundary rivers in the world. How do you see developments and the negotiation between riparian countries? What lesson should we exert from it?
The world is governed by international law and gets many benefits. It shows what benefit can be gained if development activities are being carried out jointly. Some countries clearly showed us that stability would be realized through development. It is difficult when we come to our issues. They sat down, discussed and decided the water quota. Due to the evil journey of Egypt, many things are complicated. There is no country which faces a lot of challenges by being the downstream country. It is Egypt who said you cannot use it on the river. Fairness is an international law. The same is true for development. Though they know the law, they talked as if they have historical rights on the Nile waters.
The law says, the riparian countries should discuss and respect their water use rights. However, Sudan and Egypt made an agreement to use the water independently which is not acceptable by Ethiopia. They forced Ethiopia to approve this agreement. This should not be getting acceptance even if Ethiopia said so. It is difficult to accept the stance of these countries agreement that marginalizes Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government opposed the agreement since its inception. We also told them that we will build the dam.
How do you see the influence of other countries over GERD?
There is high influence. This is because Egyptians wrongly promoted the issue to the world society. When all Ethiopians stood together and defend the issue via exposing the reality on the ground, the world society is now well informed about the issue even if some are seeing the issue differently. When they know the reality, they push both countries to make a deal. We said the water is the resource of all of us. They said it was ours. In this regard, we couldn’t reach an agreement.
International law does not require us to fulfill Egypt’s wish. They would rather talk to each other. When we invited them to further discussion they said the Nile waters are ours. Next to that we discuss the filling of the dam not on the issue of operation and/ or release of water. The release of water is related to the fairwater quota, the situation will be decided through a process. There is an issue that links them with the Arab world and Europe and they shout using that line. Apart from this, law, especially international law, is related to the balance of power. Thus, unless we are strong, they will appear better than us.
Sudan has shown a variable stance In relation to the GERD. What is the reason?
The GERD is found 30 or 20 kilometers distant from Sudan. Therefore, the GERD should be taken as a water reservoir for Sudan. No other country is found as beneficial as Sudan. They have huge arable land and water is decisive to cultivate the land. Then if they use the water properly that can feed others.
Sudan used to have rich crude oil resources. Now it is dwindling. Therefore, it has the opportunity of modernizing its agriculture. Sudan knows that it is affected by flood. Sudan will save from floods which damage its wealth and hoard 50 to 60 million dollars to clean siltation.
It increases the age of Aswan dam of Egypt by 100 years. It also decreases the amount of water evaporating in the desert. Now, the size of evaporation is from 15 to 16 billion cubic meters. As the GERD is found within the Gorge, it does not expose for evaporation. By and large, GERD has multifaceted advantages for Nile riparian countries.
Will the second filling of GERD have its own influence on the deal?
Not at all, even in the future. The dam will be filled as per the schedule. This will increase the negotiation capacity of the country and lay the foundation for the dam. The world also gives ears. We will get the chance to show in practice that we do not have a desire to harm them. In the future they will change their minds to Ethiopia. They will assure the dam will not affect them. The waters will not stop. They are sure about that the Nile water will not harm them.
Thank you for the elaboration
I thank you too.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald May 25/2021
