By LJDemission
September 27, 2024
While Egypt’s historical concerns about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) are understandable, it is crucial to address the current realities and opportunities for regional cooperation. Here are some points for my case against Egypt’s approach:
Wasting Water Resources: Egypt’s management of the Nile River has led to significant water wastage, with large amounts of water being dumped into the Mediterranean Sea. This inefficiency not only affects Egypt but also deprives upstream countries like Ethiopia of the opportunity to utilize their water resources for economic growth and development.
Economic Impact on Ethiopia: By opposing the development of the Abay River waters, including the GERD, Egypt is hindering Ethiopia’s potential to generate hydropower, which is essential for its economic development. Hydropower dams promise cheap green electricity, reliable irrigation supplies, and flood control, which can significantly improve the lives of Ethiopians and contribute to regional stability.
Historical Treaties: The colonial-era treaties that granted Egypt almost total control over the Nile, without Ethiopia’s involvement, are outdated and don’t reflect current geopolitical realities. These treaties, which Egypt uses to claim its rights over the Nile despite not contributing any water to the Abay River, have been declared null and void by Ethiopia since their inception. Instead, Ethiopia advocates for a fair and equitable distribution of water resources among all Nile Basin countries. Ethiopia’s intention is not to harm Egyptians, but rather to manage the flow of the Abay River waters to the Nile in a way that benefits all parties involved.
Unfortunately, Egypt’s rulers are working relentlessly to destabilize Ethiopia in order to sabotage the sustainable development of the Abay River’s waters. Their efforts have been effective for decades, successfully influencing world financial organizations such as the World Bank and IMF to block lending to Ethiopia for developing its water resources.
Until recently, Egypt’s rulers also successfully lobbied the US and UK governments’ institutions and officials not to cooperate with Ethiopia regarding the development of the Abay River’s waters. For instance, former president Donald Trump said “Egypt would not be able to live with Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and might “blow up” the construction. Senator Bob Menendez is awaiting sentencing on federal corruption charges, including for helping Egypt’s rulers advance their unfair efforts, which are against International Rivers Water Laws, to block Ethiopia from developing its waters.
The lobbying efforts were unsuccessful, and the GERD has already begun producing electricity and providing power to East African nations, including Kenya, Djibouti, Sudan, and Tanzania, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to develop its water resources. Additionally, this development has set a precedent for other Nile Basin countries to develop their water resources.
Potential for Cooperation: The GERD offers numerous benefits, including the potential to help Egypt manage its Aswan High Dam more efficiently by reducing evaporation losses. Cooperation between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia could lead to better water management and increased water availability for all parties involved.
Responsibility and Good Faith: Ethiopia has shown a willingness to cooperate and ensure that the dam’s operation does not harm downstream countries. It is essential for Egypt to reciprocate this goodwill and work towards a collaborative approach that benefits the entire region.
In conclusion, Egypt’s current stance on the development of the Abay River’s waters, including the GERD, is not sustainable and hinders the potential for regional development and cooperation. It is time for Egypt to move beyond historical fears and work towards a future-focused approach that benefits all Nile Basin countries.
Thank you again to Mike Muller for her insightful article. It is through balanced and informed discussions that we can hope to achieve lasting solutions to complex regional issues.
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