On Thursday, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, asserted that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project is on the verge of completion, a statement coming amidst controversy from those seeking to monopolize utilization of the jointly-owned African river. He further conveyed Ethiopia’s readiness to recommence negotiations on the dam project with Egypt and Sudan.
While addressing the Ethiopian Parliament during its 28th regular session, Abiy Ahmed clarified that the fourth phase of filling the GERD is scheduled to continue until the upcoming September. This move, he explained, is designed to prevent potential harm to the downstream nations, specifically Egypt and Sudan.
Speaking at the Second High-Level African Forum, the Prime Minister highlighted that the dam is close to its fourth filling. He underscored that the three previous fillings have not had a detrimental impact on the countries sharing the river basin. He anticipates that subsequent fillings will follow the same trend.
These statements illustrate the progress of Ethiopia’s monumental hydroelectric project. Earlier, Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, had disclosed that Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, is bracing for the fourth filling of the GERD.
The latest disclosure on the status of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – a project of critical geopolitical and environmental consequence – showcases Ethiopia’s commitment to addressing its water requirements without compromising the needs of its neighboring countries. This news also signifies a renewed stage in the persisting discussions over the communal usage of the Nile River, one of Africa’s crucial natural resources.
