BY ADDISALEM MULAT
The Abbay Dam has been a significant issue among Ethiopia and its downstream neighbors. While Ethiopia has been working towards amicable solutions, downstream nations have been slow to collectively resolve concerns. In a blame shifting game, some entities have also been criticizing Ethiopia for the delay, and this has led to negative campaigns and intrigues against the country’s ambitious hydropower project.
The construction of the Abbay Dam is expected to bring significant benefits to Ethiopia and the entire region. One of the major benefits is its contribution to the region’s energy security. The availability of affordable and reliable electricity from the Abbay Dam will create alternative source of powers for a wide range of industries, leading to increased economic growth in the region.
Ethiopia, as a responsible and peace-loving country, has always been open to dialogue with the downstream countries regarding the Abbay Dam. The country has on numerous occasions expressed its willingness to engage in transparent, constructive, and result-oriented negotiations with Egypt and Sudan to address their concerns related to the dam.
As a peace-loving and responsible nation, Ethiopia has continuously expressed its willingness to engage in open and constructive negotiations with downstream countries over the construction of the Abbay Dam.
The Dam is a significant project that represents a milestone in Africa’s development. The completion of the dam will provide affordable and reliable electricity to millions of people in Ethiopia and the wider region, which will have significant economic and social benefits. The dam will also contribute to Africa’s energy security by reducing the region’s dependence.
The Dam is undoubtedly an ambitious and significant infrastructure project for Ethiopia and beyond. The dam’s completion will provide much-needed electricity to the country and the wider region, creating opportunities for economic growth and development. However, downstream countries have expressed concerns on the subject of the construction of the dam.
Ethiopia has been engaging in various talks with downstream nations including Egypt and Sudan to address their concerns about the impact of the dam on the Abbay River. The country has been committed to finding a mutually beneficial solution by providing transparent data about the dam’s construction and operation.
Ethiopia’s firm stance to negotiate and find a mutually beneficial solution regarding the dam is commendable. The country’s steadfast belief that the dam will bring benefits to all countries in the region showcases how important it is to strive for cooperation and collaboration. It is crucial to acknowledge Ethiopia’s vision of the dam as a tool for sustainable development in the region.
The country’s commitment to regional cooperation and integration is critical to ensuring stability and development in the region. By prioritizing dialogue and addressing concerns related to the dam, the country has been showcasing its willingness to work with stakeholders in the region toward a mutually beneficial outcome.
As the lifeline for millions of people in the region, the Abbay River’s future depends on responsible and sustainable management that takes into account the needs of all stakeholders. Cooperation among the countries involved in the management of the River is vital to finding solutions that will ensure equitable access to this crucial resource.
With numerous African countries facing energy shortages, the Abbay Dam represents a significant step towards energy security and independence. As the world moves toward sustainable energy sources, the dam is an important investment in clean and renewable energy that will benefit the people of Ethiopia and surrounding nations.
The dam has been a flagship project for Ethiopia, representing the country’s ambition to pursue sustainable development and transform its economic prospects. However, this project has faced significant challenges and obstacles along the way, marked by twists and turns. The process of building the dam required a considerable amount of sacrifice and determination from the Ethiopian people. Despite the hardships, Ethiopia remained committed to the realization of the project, which the country considers vital to its sustainable development agenda.
Ethiopians remain optimistic that positive moves toward the operation of the dam will lead to enhanced energy security, economic growth, and regional integration.
Given the current circumstances, the dam has become a source of national pride, uniting Ethiopians from all walks of life in pursuit of a common goal. In a similar vein, the project represents a significant opportunity for Ethiopia and the African continent to achieve energy independence and move towards renewable energy sources.
Despite external opposition, Ethiopia has continued to pursue the project, recognizing its crucial role in achieving sustainable development and transforming the country’s economic landscape. The dam is expected to provide much-needed energy to meet Ethiopia’s growing demands, enabling it to reduce poverty, create jobs, and drive economic growth.
The commitment of the Ethiopian government to continue the construction of the dam despite external pressures reflects a strong dedication to achieving the country’s developmental objectives. The project, which intends to generate electricity and improve the economic situation of the country, is considered a critical component of Ethiopia’s development plans. The government’s resilience in the face of external forces is commendable, as it has demonstrated that Ethiopia is capable of realizing its development goals even in the face of adversity.
Moreover, the project has received widespread support from the people of Ethiopia who recognize its significance in improving their living standards. The commitment demonstrated by the people to the project indicates their faith in the government’s vision for the country’s future.
The country’s determination and resilience will undoubtedly bolster the country’s standing in the region and demonstrate its commitment to sustainable development. The success of the project will create a blueprint for future projects laying the groundwork for the country’s continued progress toward achieving its development objectives.
The country’s commitment to peaceful negotiation and deescalating tensions surrounding the dam is commendable. Despite the inflammatory language being used by downstream nations to spark a confrontation, Ethiopia has remained steadfast in pursuing a peaceful resolution to the conflict through dialogue and negotiation.
Despite facing challenges and opposition from downstream nations, Ethiopian officials remain committed to maintaining a constructive dialogue and negotiation surrounding the dam. This perseverance and dedication to diplomacy demonstrate Ethiopia’s recognition of the dam’s regional significance and the crucial role it could play in promoting regional cooperation within the Nile River. In spite of Ethiopia’s keen interest to foster cooperation, some entities have been trying to blacken the country’s effort. Lately, the Arab League adopted a wrong statement regarding the Nile issue.
The Arab League’s recent resolution on the Abbay Dam has no positive impact in resolving the dispute, rather straining Ethiopia’s diplomacy with its member states, the renowned hydro politics expert said. Speaking to the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA), the expert Yacob Arsano (Ph.D.) stated the resolution failed to understand Ethiopia’s right to utilize its natural resources to prosper.
“I am not sure the league adopted the resolution and wants to confirm whether it has passed the proposal. I hope Ethiopia’s neighbors, which are also members of the league, would not accept Egypt’s self-centered resolution. But, if they adopt the resolution, then the consequence will be diplomatic blowback.”
Other members of the Arab League also have strong political and economic relations with Ethiopia and passing the resolution for the mere interest of Egypt is a critical error in diplomacy, the expert added. “Egyptian politicians dominated most of the Arab League institutions and the former are engaged in twisting the institutions to pursue their country’s egoistic interest in the River Nile.”
Instead of building trust and reaching a new agreement on the equitable utilization of Nile waters, Egyptian politicians still relied upon the dysfunctional colonial-period treaties that only served their interests, the academician emphasized.
“Egyptians have not brought evidence of Abbay Dam’s harm in their water share. Apart from the usual rhetoric of ‘Egypt is the gift of the Nile’, Egyptian experts have also not tabled any concrete evidence over the last 12 years to substantiate their claim on Ethiopia’s hydroelectric dam.”
“In my view, Egypt’s ambition is to make itself chief of the Nile waters. As a result, they are employing the Arab League and other regional blocks to shoulder their hidden interest in Ethiopia. The Egyptian politician’s recent statement also inferred the country’s consideration of military means to ensure its interest.”
Yacob reminded Egyptians that such warnings and aggressions are futile and will never bring positive outcomes and they should come to a roundtable discussion and seek ways to fair utilization of the Nile waters for mutual development. River Nile is sufficient for all riparian countries and Egyptians are expected to come up with a new approach that acknowledges others’ right to prosper.
The Ethiopian Herald April 5 2023
