Addis Ababa – (Hornpost) Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has announced the full completion of the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), stating that the massive hydropower project will be officially inaugurated this coming September.
Speaking before parliament in his quarterly appearance to review the government’s performance and respond to MPs’ questions, Prime Minister Abiy extended an invitation to both Egypt and Sudan to attend the inauguration ceremony. He described the dam as “a symbol of goodwill and shared benefit, not a source of threat or conflict.”
Abiy further reassured that Egypt would not lose even a single liter of its share of Nile waters due to the dam, emphasizing that Ethiopia remains committed to dialogue. He reiterated his government’s readiness to engage in negotiations with both Sudan and Egypt at any time to reach a mutually beneficial and inclusive solution.
“Ethiopia is committed to its own development without harming its brothers in Egypt and Sudan,” Abiy stated. “We believe in shared development, shared energy, and shared water.”
Egypt’s Reaction to the Completion of GERD
In response, Egypt’s Minister of Irrigation and Water Resources, Hani Sewilam, expressed strong concern over Ethiopia’s move, calling it a violation of international water laws and the rights of Nile Basin countries.
Sewilam accused Ethiopia of evading meaningful negotiations, and described the completion of the dam as “a clear breach of international legal principles, particularly those related to equitable and reasonable use of Tran’s boundary water resources and the prohibition of causing significant harm.”
He added that Ethiopia’s actions appear to be “a deliberate effort to reshape its global image and portray itself as a champion of dialogue,” despite failing to engage in fair and transparent talks.
Egypt, one of the driest countries on Earth, faces severe water scarcity and relies on the Nile for 98% of its freshwater supply. Officials fear the GERD could drastically impact the country’s water security.
Hornpost staff reporter