ADDIS ABABA– Ethiopia shows unreserved commitment to not harm Nile lower riparian countries by adopting all suggestions raised by international and technical experts in the Abbay Dam construction, former negotiator said.
Former member of the Abbay Dam Negotiation Committee and senior water resource advisor, Fekiahmed Negash told FBC that Ethiopia has displayed its firm stance of not harming the downstream countries by taking all expertise recommendations into consideration.
“All recommendations forwarded by international water experts have been accepted by the Ethiopian side. Moreover, Ethiopia has adopted some of the recommendations much better than their expectation,” he added.
Despite Ethiopia’s willingness to resolve disputes through negotiation; Egyptian politicians are still disinclined to respect the former’s unalienable right to utilize its natural resources.
The expert further highlighted that during Morsi’s presidency, Egyptian officials televised warmongering rhetoric and even warned to blow the dam in airstrike. “Indeed, Egyptian politicians have been opposing the Abbay dam since its inception.”
“In 1957, Sudan and Egypt met to scramble the Nile waters. Then, Ethiopia sent an official request (written by Emperor Haile Selassie) to take part in the discussion, but it was rejected by the two countries.
Again in 1960, Egypt denied Ethiopia’s request for information about the construction of Aswan Dam. The Egyptian authorities responded to the request that Aswan is none of Ethiopia’s business in a clear manifestation of their possessive stance in the utilization of Nile Waters.”
“If they had the commitment for equitable utilization of cross-border rivers, the Egyptian politicians would appreciate Ethiopia’s patience in the negotiation process,” Fekiahmed emphasized.
In April 2011, Ethiopia laid the cornerstone for the Abbay Dam.
“Following Ethiopia’s announcement of the dam’s construction, Egyptian officials claimed that the dam could affect their water share without scientific evidence and I think the claim by itself is natural. Throughout history, Egyptian politicians failed to recognize Ethiopia’s right to use the water resource springing from its own land.”
According to the expert, Ethiopia has been sending relevant information to Sudan that it believes to address the latter’s fear and suspicion in the construction of the mega dam. Ethiopia has been frequently asked to inform the Nile lower riparian about the possible impacts of the dam and is addressing these requests at all times.
BY YESUF ENDRIS
The Ethiopian Herald September 21/2023
