BY ADDISALEM MULAT
Ethiopia accomplished the second phase filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) yesterday with flying colors. The filling that heralds a remarkable turnaround in the construction of the dam came against all odds. Visibly with the second filling of the dam, the river overflows over the top of the dam as the graceful Abbay River also passes through the culverts.
Obviously, the successful accomplishment of the second filling GERD also testifies the unwavering resolves and defiance of Ethiopians against foreign interference and pressure.
The completion of the second filling also adds a cherry on the successful national election held recently. These all came in the midst of ongoing campaign by a collusion of internal and external force to undermine the national interest of the country.
Even though some forces turn on the charm, Ethiopia came victorious both technically and politically. Prior to the announcement of the second filling, the plot by Egypt to internationalize the issue came short after the UNSC refused Cairo what it wanted.
Speaking to the completion of the second round filing of GERD, Dr. Wubalem Fekade, who is social development and communication expert on transboundary water resources related issues, told The Ethiopian Herald that whether countries wanted it or not, the second phase filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was inevitable.
According to my opinion, the downstream countries have now no option except reaching into amicable solutions over the filling and operation of the dam, he added. “Even if the downstream nations stand against the second phase filling of the dam; the rainy season is filling the dam naturally.”
He further noted that there is no going back since the dam has reached at irreversible stage. Agreement is the only way out for the prevailing problems on the topic of the dam. The downstream nations should work in unison with Ethiopia under these circumstances.
“Regarding the operation, the three countries should be able to come to a consensus through dialogue at the earliest possible time,”
Broadly speaking, more dam is better off than few dams in the Nile basin region. The significance of GERD in this regard is huge.
Dr. 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 GERD for his part said: “I think the magnitude of the pressure from the international side will be diminished to a considerable level following the second filling. But the pressure from the two lower basin governments may not stop at once. Remember the issue of the Nile is not only the economic basis of Egypt and Sudan, but it’s the life of their politics.”
He went on to say, “The game will be changed step by step. The governments of Egypt and Sudan together with their people will observe that the water reserved in GERD will operate the turbine, moderate the flow of water in the Nile Basin, rescue them from flooding and reach its final destiny Cairo and the Mediterranean Sea without interruption.
He stressed that the multidimensional pressure will no more have such a negative impact on Ethiopia. Considering the leverage our country might have after the second filling depends upon how our government handles the resource. One thing is clear Britain’s adage: “One who owns Egypt owns the Nile, one who owns the Nile owns the region” or vice versa will be changed to the favor of Ethiopia.
After a strong campaign to disrupt the filling of the dam and the overall construction of the GERD, Egypt and Sudan have come to accept the reality. According to Xinhua, a Sudanese official on Sunday said that no drop in the water level of the Blue Nile has been detected despite Ethiopia’s start of the second filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
“Since April, Al-Daim station on the border with Ethiopia has not monitored any drop in the daily level of the water coming from the Ethiopian Plateau to Sudan,” Hamid Mohamed Ali, director of Sudan’s Al-Rusaires Dam, said in a statement.
“Although Ethiopia started the second filling of the GERD, yet the daily water amounts are stable,” he noted.
Shortly after the announcement of the second filling of the dam, the residents of Addis Ababa have been expressing their feelings in various ways. Everyone is excited. Words cannot express their gratitude.
One of the residents of Addis Ababa who goes by the name of Abemelek Philipos on the topic of the second phase filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam said, “First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Ethiopians who have been struggling day in and day out for the realization of the magnificent project that can transform the lives of millions of Ethiopians at the earliest possible time.
He went on to say, “My gratitude also goes to all government officials who have been working by the sweat of their brow for the realization of the dam. No matter what the challenges, they have made the whole thing they could to make the dam see the light of day. They have passed through many ups and downs. In a nutshell, the whole thing was a tough nut to crack to reach where we are in the present day.”
Abemelek stressed that the entire thing in connection with the dam was easier said than done. I have great respect for all Ethiopians residing at home and abroad. I would venture to say, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam means a lot to all Ethiopians. He further stressed that Ethiopians and the dam are two sides of the same coin. As their bond is very strong, nobody can detach them. It is the icon of all Ethiopians. Our lives are closely associated with the dam. As things currently stand, the dam is Ethiopia’s survival matter.
A lot has been paid, it is being built by the blood and tears of Ethiopians. Without a shred of a doubt, Ethiopia would catapult itself to the next level of accomplishment at the earliest possible moment. For the same truth, the dam signals in black and white the fact that Ethiopia can prosper in a little while. “If we stand together, we can make a miracle”.
According to circumstances, Ethiopia has become triumphant over the meeting that was held in the United Nations Security Council. Most members of the Council managed to understand Ethiopia’s righteousness. This is a big success. “Ethiopia’s future is rosy. Many good things are waiting ahead of us.
As the dam has shown the secret of accomplishment, we should engage in various development activities as we did in the project, he continued, he added.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD JULY 20/2021
