BY ADDISALEM MULAT
Since the inception of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopia has been doing everything possible to resolve the dispute in an atmosphere of calm time and time again. However, the wished-for goal is not attained on account of the rigidity of the downstream countries that have been adding fuel to dispute.
Ethiopia has been consistent in its approach and stands to resolve disputes over GERD going extra miles to encourage the two countries to reciprocate same way. Unfortunately, the inconsistencies the downstream countries have been stonewalling progress in the negotiation shuttering down any hope of breakthrough in resolving technical issues.
Clearly, in sharp contrast to Ethiopia’s position, Sudan and Egypt have been throwing cold water on the efforts of the government. Following their cooked-up stories that do not hold water, the two countries have been bewildering the international community in many ways. The two countries have rather been burying their heads in the sand not wanting to face the truth and resolve the technical issue.
More recently, the situation has got worse before it got better. The causes obviously are the downstream countries that tried to smuch to give political fig leaf to the matter.
Instead of pulling out all the stops to resolve the matter through discussion, Egypt and Sudan have been beating the drums of war over and over again. On top of that, the downstream countries have been getting themselves engaged in joint military drills in an act of provocation.
On several occasions, the downstream countries refused to sit on a round table discussion under the auspicious of the African Union and resolve outstanding matter. Instead, the countries have been trying to bring on third party to the negotiation and make something out of it.
Recently, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) deliberated in the matter after the two countries brought a technical issue to the political body. However, the Council recommended the case be resolved under the African Union. This strand perfectly played into Ethiopia’s stand with the latter insisting on resolving the issue through the framework of African institutions.
Meeting with António Guterres, UN Secretary-General days after UNSC session, Dr. Eng Seleshi Bekele, Minister of Water, Irrigation, and Energy of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia briefed the Secretary about Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. Furthermore, the Ministry managed to elucidate about the second phase of the dam filling, the African Union-led negotiations, and other related aspects. Despite the efforts of the downstream countries to politicize and international the matter, Ethiopia is ready to diplomatically solve the dispute.
On a press release, Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that on resuming the trilateral AU-led negotiations on GERD that trilateral negotiations on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have been underway to reach an outcome on the first filling and annual operation of the GERD, as per the Declaration of Principles.
It is regrettable, however, to witness that the progress of the negotiations has been dragged and politicized. Ethiopia has made its position clear time and again that this is unproductive and bringing the subject matter to the United Nations Security Council was and is unhelpful and far from the mandate of the Council, the statement added.
It is recognized that the AU-led process is an important vehicle to address each party’s concerns and they have been able to reach understanding on a considerable number of issues through this setting. Furthermore, the process has also revealed the longstanding challenges which have to do with the absence of water treaty and basin-wide mechanism on the Nile.
Ethiopia is committed to bringing the AU-led trilateral process to a successful conclusion aiming to reach a mutually acceptable outcome. It is prepared and ready to work on the phased approach proposed by the Chairperson of the African Union, and, therefore, encourages both Egypt and Sudan to negotiate in good faith to bring the process to fruition, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In similar development, US said diplomacy is the only solution to GERD dispute. According to Egypt Independent, the regional spokesman for the US State Department Samuel Warburg said on Sunday that the United States believes that diplomacy is the only solution to the issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
During an interview with TV host Amr Abdel-Hamid on TeN satellite channel, Warburg pointed out that the UN Security Council’s session showed that this issue is very important for the African continent.
He added that the international community is fully aware of the importance of the GERD issue for the Nile Basin region.
Warburg explained that there is no alternative or military solution, and “we cannot imagine any new war in the African continent.” He pointed out that the downstream countries and the African Union must resume negotiations, stating that the US is ready to provide any political or technical assistance.
Warburg said that the US calls on all parties to refrain from any statements to resume dialogue and that any future dialogue must be aimed at moving negotiations along. The US does not want more time spent on the negotiations, he said.
In the interview, Emiru Tamirat, an expert on International Water gave to The Ethiopian Herald said, “GERD is purely a technical issue, but Egypt and Sudan are growing more hawkish beating the drums of war against Ethiopia. It must have been Ethiopia that should take the matter to the UNSC for the actions of the downstream countries pose a security threat in the region, something which UNSC should oversee.
He went on to say, “In the first instance, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) mandate is presiding on quandaries on the subject of peace and security issues. On the basis thereof, the council has not enough room for the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).”
By the same token, in an interview Dr. Eng. Tilahun Erduno, a member of the Committee for Planning and Construction of GERD Model Addis Ababa Park, at the Office of National Council for the Coordination of Public Participation on the Construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam gave to The Ethiopian Herald said, “The decision of the UNSC is a big millstone and it resonates to longstanding Ethiopia’s position to resolve the issue within African Union framework.
The decision of the UNSC is a great achievement for Ethiopia. It is a huge victory for Ethiopians. The decision shows the rightness of Ethiopia’s stance. We can decide on our own. I dare to say, our effort is bearing fruit. This means Africa will be empowered and the African Union jumpstart standing on its feet.”
As things stand at present, ambassadors residing in various parts of the country have been familiarizing the international community with the honest truth that getting to the bottom of the GERD dispute under the auspicious of the African Union is the only way out.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JULY 14/2021
