The successful filling of the fourth round of the dam represents a significant achievement for Ethiopia demonstrating its diplomatic skill and commitment to mutual benefit and regional integration. It is a collective victory for the Ethiopian people who have contributed significantly to the realization of the project. The successful filling can promote shared benefits, support sustainable development goals and enhance national and regional security.
With this great accomplishment, Ethiopia must continue to take the lead in implementing shared goals across the region. By doing so, it will efficiently promote and strengthen mutual cooperation and beneficial relationships among its neighboring countries. These efforts will be a significant step towards creating a peaceful and prosperous region for all.
The completion of the fourth filling is a clear indication of the unity that exists among Ethiopians, particularly when striving to achieve a common purpose. The commitment and collective effort of Ethiopians coupled with a positive mindset and unwavering determination have helped the country remain firm in the pursuit of the GERD project to enhance its overall development agenda.
The dam demonstrates Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to economic development and the country’s ability to withstand external pressures to achieve its goals. With the GERD’s construction being instrumental in promoting cooperation among the three riparian countries, it will contribute significantly to enhancing regional peace, stability, and integration.
Ethiopia has been keen to ensure that the dam’s operation respects the downstream countries’ interests while ensuring the rights of the upstream countries to utilize natural resources for their development. Despite immense pressure, Ethiopia has remained steadfast in its mission to complete the GERD.
The success is a result of the contribution of the Ethiopian people and government who have demonstrated resilience and determination in the face of pressures. Ethiopia’s approach to water development and management focusing on mutual benefit and dialogue sets an example for other countries in the region to follow.
The successful fourth filling without causing any significant harm to Egypt and Sudan is a significant diplomatic victory for Ethiopia. It represents a positive step towards resolving the diplomatic tensions and disagreements among the three countries. Ethiopia has demonstrated its commitment to international law and cooperation and it has repeatedly called for dialogue and negotiations to resolve any outstanding issues related to the GERD.
The country has demonstrated its commitment to mutual benefit and cooperation emphasizing that the GERD project is not a threat but an opportunity for regional integration and sustainable development. The successful filling represents a positive move towards resolving diplomatic disputes and promoting shared benefits for the mutual advantage of all.
The GERD negotiation process underscores the commitment of Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt to dialogue rather than confrontational measures. Such an approach can promote a culture of peaceful resolution emphasizing diplomacy as the primary tool for resolving regional conflicts and setting a precedent for resolving disputes in a peaceful manner.
When countries collaborate towards a mutual objective, it allows them to establish systems and practices that can help them tackle future challenges and resolve conflicts in a peaceful and sustainable way. An excellent example of this is the GERD project, where Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have come together to achieve a common goal. This cooperation can go beyond the GERD project and can contribute to regional integration, sustainable development, and a shared prosperity.
The GERD negotiation process also provides an opportunity for the involved nations to develop and deepen their cultural exchange. Through exchanges of information and experiences, the nations involved can learn from each other and develop a deeper appreciation for each other’s cultural, social, and political norms. This cultural exchange fosters greater understanding, trust, and respect thereby building stronger relationships among the involved parties.
The achievement of the fourth round of the Ethiopian dam filling is considered a remarkable feat for the country. This is because beyond meeting the country’s power demands it also highlights the country’s diplomatic skill and commitment to regional integration. Ethiopia has exhibited the potential of being a significant contributor to the African continent’s development becoming an enviable model for other countries to emulate. The achievement represents a collective victory for the Ethiopian people who have tirelessly contributed to the realization of the project.
From the moment construction of the dam started, the public had a significant role in providing material, human, and financial resources and supporting the project’s overall objective. The success of the dam filling has positive implications for the country’s regional integration efforts. It opens opportunities for mutually beneficial ties with neighboring countries that are in need of power supply.
By having the potential to export energy to other African nations, Ethiopia can take advantage of the opportunities for more affordable and sustainable energy generation in the region, and consequently improve the quality of life of its citizens and attain sustainable development goals.
Regional integration will bring about significant transformational changes in the economic, environment and social sectors of Ethiopia. In addition, the successful filling of the dam has enormous potential to boost the economic prosperity of Ethiopia. There is the possibility of increased availability of energy which can spur industrial development attracting more investments and creating job opportunities which would reduce the country’s poverty levels.
According to Yacob Arsano, Associate Professor, GERD Negotiating Team Member, and Hydro Politics Researcher, the fourth filling of the GERD is a huge success Ethiopia has registered withstanding diplomatic pressures. The pressure was so immense on Ethiopia since the beginning; the successful completion of the fourth filling has fully reversed the pressure against Ethiopia.
It is a big diplomatic victory for Ethiopia to complete the water filling according to plan. The success is the outcome of the contribution of the Ethiopian people.
Ethiopia has always taken into consideration the mutual benefit of neighboring downstream countries in its water development and the fourth round filling of the dam without any harm on the downstream countries proved Ethiopia’s stance.
According to Engineer Sileshi Bekele (PhD), the GERD negotiating team leader, Ethiopia’s ambassador to the United States, and former Minister of Water and Energy, the successful completion of the 4th round filling of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) shows that no challenge will stop Ethiopians when they stand together for one common goal. Besides being a source of cooperation between the three riparian countries, the Great Renaissance Dam has practically demonstrated the fact that there will be no damage to the lower riparian countries. The completion of the 4th round filling opens a new chapter in the process of the construction of the dam.
According to Mohammed Al-Arousi, a Member of Parliament and Advisor to the Minister of Water and Energy, the successful completion of the fourth filling of the GERD is a confirmation of Ethiopia’s position not to cause harm to Egypt and Sudan.
Ethiopia has once again declared beyond any doubt that the country is only seeking development after many speculated about the danger of filling in its various stages.
The fourth filling of the dam is a critical stage in which Ethiopia confirmed the fact that the country is moving in the right direction. Egypt and Sudan should share the joy with Ethiopia over the success of the fourth filling of the GERD since it has not brought any significant harm so far.
Engineer Kifle Horo, General Manager of GERD while briefing higher government officials, stated that the overall construction of the GERD reaches over 93 % completion. The dam comprises left, right and middle sections and to reach the final stage, the left and right sections requires only 9 to 10 meters while the middle part needs up to 20 meters. Until next year, this part will be fully accomplished.
Currently, two turbines are producing energy. After the successful completion of the fourth round filling, in this budget year, five additional turbines would be added to generate energy. This fiscal year, the number of turbines producing energy from the GERD would increase into seven. These units will be operational soon.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The Ethiopian Herald September 28/2023
