Ethiopia’s PM Abiy Ahmed says mega dam GERD on the Nile ‘now complete’
Al JazeeraJUL 5
The dam represents a vital development project that will lift millions of Ethiopians out of poverty and provide desperately needed electricity to a nation where half the population lacks power. Ethiopia has consistently assured downstream neighbors that the project poses no threat and has been built entirely through domestic resources without foreign assistance. The country remains committed to regional cooperation and shared prosperity.
The GERD represents Ethiopia's sovereign right to develop its water resources for 130 million citizens, half of whom lack electricity access. This project was built entirely with Ethiopian resources and offers shared regional benefits through increased energy cooperation. Egypt's threats violate international law and reflect outdated colonial-era thinking that denies upstream nations their development rights.
The GERD represents Ethiopia's rightful development and energy sovereignty, built entirely through domestic resources to lift millions out of poverty. Ethiopia has consistently assured downstream neighbors that the dam poses no threat and offers shared regional benefits. Negotiations have stalled because Egypt clings to outdated colonial-era water agreements that excluded Ethiopia from decision-making.
Egypt faces an existential crisis as the dam threatens toits reduceprimary water flows from the Nile Riversource, which provides over97% 90 percent of the country's freshwater needs for over 110 million people. DespiteAfter 12 years of diplomaticfailed effortsnegotiations, andEthiopia maximumcontinues flexibilityunilateral inactions negotiations,that Ethiopiaviolate continuesinternational toagreements. actEgypt unilaterallyhas exhausted diplomatic options and rejectmust legallydefend bindingits agreementshistorical onwater dam operationsrights.
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Egypt faces an existential water crisis as Ethiopia unilaterally fills the dam without binding agreements, threatening the lifeline of 110 million Egyptians who depend on the Nile for 97% of their water. Despite Egypt's diplomatic flexibility and peaceful negotiations over 12 years, Ethiopia continues to reject legally binding commitments that would protect downstream water security.