Ethiopian Water Minister Habtamu Itefa confirmed that ministers from Nile Basin countries visited the GERD, despite Egyptian opposition. Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources strongly opposed the visit, citing concerns over regional cooperation. Habtamu noted that the ministers’ firsthand experience contradicted previous misinformation about the dam, revealing notable achievements by Ethiopia.
Habtamu Itefa (PhD), Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, announced that ministers from Nile Basin countries visited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), disregarding Egypt’s attempts to dissuade them. This visit, he claims, served to undermine opposition against Ethiopia. The invitation was extended during the Nile Basin Initiative’s extraordinary ministerial meeting held in Addis Ababa on February 22, 2025.
Despite Egypt’s minister Hani Sewilam urging ministers to decline the invitation, Habtamu noted that the majority chose to tour the GERD. He dismissed Egypt’s communication as “false propaganda,” emphasizing that it was ignored. He pointed out that the invitation stood in contrast to Egypt’s resistance, highlighting a divide in perspectives among Nile Basin member states.
Egypt expressed concerns that the inclusion of GERD in the Nile Day program could intensify ongoing disputes and threaten regional cooperation. During the meeting, Sewilam remarked that Ethiopia’s actions might jeopardize the unity of the basin states, reflecting deeper tensions within the initiative. Habtamu insisted that the ministers experienced a significant realization during their visit, showcasing Ethiopia’s advancements in constructing the dam.
Habtamu noted that other ministers, except the Tanzanian minister, who had to attend other urgent matters, participated in the GERD tour. He observed that the firsthand visit starkly contrasted prior misinformation about the project, allowing visiting officials to witness Ethiopia’s achievements directly. Their tour emphasized Ethiopia’s narrative while showcasing the dam’s significance in the Nile Basin context.
The visit of Nile Basin ministers to GERD highlights ongoing tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt regarding water management in the region. This event underscores differing narratives surrounding the dam’s impact and Ethiopia’s intentions, with Egypt expressing fears over unity and cooperation within the basin. The contrasting viewpoints suggest potential complications in future diplomatic engagements among these nations.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
