Ethiopia dispels regional concerns over dam construction
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
May 30, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – As Ethiopia pushes forward the construction of a controversial dam project Addis Ababa on Thursday affirmed that the power plant being built on the Blue Nile will not affect relations with other Nile basin countries, such as Sudan and Egypt.
In a ceremony held on Tuesday, Ethiopia began diverting the flow of the Blue Nile as part of the first phase construction work of the massive power plant project which is underway in Benshangul Gumuz region just 40km from the Sudanese border.
The launch of the dam project known as the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), has raised some concerns in downstream countries, particularly Egypt, fearing that it would reduce the flow of water to its territories.
Sudan, despite its solidarity with Egypt over Nile water issues, approved the project and denied statements attributed to its ambassador in Cairo criticising the project.
Ethiopia’s foreign affairs spokesperson, Ambassador Dina Mufti, tried to dispel concerns on Thursday that the project could affect Ethiopia’s relations with Sudan and Egypt..
“Ethiopia has a clear and firm position on Nile issues. We have no intention to harm the peoples of Sudan or Egypt”, Dina told Sudan Tribune.
Addis Ababa insists that the construction of the dam project won’t affect the supply of water to Egypt and Sudan instead will benefit the countries through the supply of hydroelectricity.
The “Nile is not a source of confrontation” he said adding that “it is a source of development and cooperation among the Nile basin countries.”
According to Engineers working at the site Blue Nile was diverted by only few metres and then will continue its flow on its natural course.
EGYPT’S REACTION
Egyptian politicians seem to be divided over the Nile dam project.
After Ethiopia announced that it carried out the diversion work, Egyptian opposition politicians have expressed concerns, accusing president Mohammed Morsi’s government of giving little attention to the issue.
Egypt’s presidency however has preferred to wait for a report from the tripartite technical committee which is assessing the potential impacts of the dam on downstream countries.
Cairo’s deputy foreign minister for African affairs, Ali Hifni, said that diverting the course of the river was not a major concern but the overall impact of the dam will only be known upon completion.
The Ethiopian senior official told Sudan Tribune that “no one should be confused or reach […] conclusion[s] from news reports released in Sudan, Egypt or elsewhere.”
Dina further said the findings of the tripartite technical committee will be released on Friday.
The committee is comprised of experts from Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt as well as four prominent international experts.
(ST)