Recent commentary regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam falls short of accurately capturing the context of current dynamics of the negotiation between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan, especially given the priority that should be placed on finding a peaceful resolution to the looming crisis.
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The Nile River is a transboundary resource. It is a shared river among Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan and other riparian states. It does not belong to any single country. Hence, any statement that implies as if the river belongs to one country is not rational. Indeed, any rhetoric that denies the centrality of sharing this natural endowment among its riparian states is unwise and unproductive. Like any transboundary resource, equitable and fair sharing is a fundamental principle that leads to cooperation and partnership.
Since the construction of the dam begun 10 years ago, Ethiopia, which contributes 86% of the Nile water, strongly believed that the Nile River can and should be utilized by its riparian states equitably. That is why Ethiopia did not ignore the legitimate concerns of Egypt and Sudan and took initiatives that brought everyone on board.
Ethiopia has solemnly pursued the path of cooperation and made all attempts to accommodate the demands of the two downstream countries. Looking back to the past 10 years, it is Ethiopia that invited the two countries in 2011 and established the International Panel of Experts to conduct a joint study on the benefits and the impacts of the dam. Based on the reports of the Panel, the three countries created the Tripartite National Committee to work together to harness the benefits of the dam.
The dam should not be a source of crisis rather it shall be a means to advance cooperation. It would only become a cause for crisis if and when Egypt and Sudan insist on maintaining a monopoly of the use of the waters of the Nile river. Positons advanced by the politicians to make the water use by Ethiopia as crossing a red line would be a failure to recognize the importance of peaceful coexistence. The issue of water use in the Nile Basin needs a strategic approach by realizing the demands of all the people living in the river basin.
Prominent Israeli scholar on the Middle Eastern and African History, Professor Haggai Erlich, stresses in his book, From Aswan to Renaissance Dam, that "the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) symbolizes the equitable share on the Nile, while Aswan dam is an embodiment of Egypt's demand for monopoly or historical rights."
Based on his studies that show the nexus between history and current circumstances in the region, Erlich noted, "Egyptians need to accept this new reality and adjust their perspective." Further noting that that the "filling of the dam is a fact that must be recognized and celebrated by the three countries."
The Ethiopian government has been committed to the discussion and expressed its readiness to continue the negotiation under the auspices of the African Union. International partners or what the author of the article called "world powers" have been playing a crucial role in the negotiation process.
What is at stake in this negotiation process is the future of water use by Ethiopia. The threat of taking a drop of water would be tantamount to ignoring the existence of Ethiopians as a people. The Nile is a transboundary river that belongs to all the 350 million people in the region who rely on its waters for all basic human needs. It would be a conceit to claim that the Nile is only to one nation.
Ethiopia lends emphasis to agreeing on the rules for the first filling. Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, in his recent address to the Ethiopian Parliament, has stated clearly that it would be prudent to agree on the first filling at this stage and the discussion on the long-term operations of the dam would continue immediately.
The Ethiopian premier has reiterated that Ethiopia does not have any intention to take action that would cause significant harm to either Egypt or Sudan. Driven by the principle of an equitable share of the Nile River, Ethiopia is doing what any country does: utilizing its resource to address the critical need of its citizens while acting responsibly and in good faith in the ongoing negotiation with an unwavering commitment to reach a mutually acceptable, win-win agreement.
Therefore, pursuant to Article 5 (a) of the Declaration of Principle (DoP) that was signed by the three countries in 2015, the filling would be carried out in parallel with the construction of the dam. Ethiopia's stance to create a collaborative platform in the negotiations is focused on the big picture.
Accordingly, the minster of water affairs of Ethiopia invited his Sudanese and Egyptian counterparts to nominate a point persons or dam operators to exchange data between the three countries with regards to the second-year filling which will take place in July and August 2021.
In the letters addressed to the two countries, Ethiopia underlined the need to work together on practical and important communication arrangements. Ethiopia considers this offer as a good opportunity to build confidence and trust among the parties. It is necessary to recall that based on the consensus that was reached on the filling schedule formulated by the National Independent Scientific Research Group (NISRG) of the three countries along with the period of the filling. In light of the difficulties the three faced, a sustainable resolution can only be found in a sincere collective effort that recognizes the shared destiny of the riparian countries.
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During the recent AU-led negotiations, Ethiopia requested that Egypt and Sudan join hands to conclude an agreement that advances their common long-term interest. The Nile is the main source of water for the peoples of the three countries and it is high time to begin the discussion on the equitable share which would avert crisis. The problems are compounded as the availability of this resource comes under continued stress due to disputes over water allocation, climate change and issues emanating from poor water management.
The current "crisis" between the three countries – created by Egypt and Sudan – highlights the fact that the problem has been present for many years and is centered, around the equitable use of a shared transboundary water resource. It is vital to structure the Nile issue as a common challenge in the allocation and management of a shared resource by distributing water equitably.
In accordance with the DoP, the parties shall agree on the first filling and it is high time to address the quest for equitable use of a shared water resource of the Nile. The three countries need to pursue a win-win approach to resolve the stalemate. Ethiopia remains committed and ready to pursue a rational and responsible approach guided by its conviction that the Nile River should be a source of partnership and cooperation.
