Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed addressed concerns from Egypt and Sudan regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), asserting that the project will not threaten their water supplies but instead promote shared development. In a congressional speech, he emphasized that the dam is essential for Ethiopia’s electrification and regional growth.
The GERD, Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, has a budget of $4 billion and is now complete, poised for inauguration. It can store 74 billion cubic meters of water and generate over 5,000 megawatts of power, which is vital given East Africa’s population of 130 million, many of whom lack electricity.
Despite Egypt’s reliance on the Nile for 97% of its water and ongoing water shortages, Abiy expressed a willingness to engage in constructive dialogue, advocating for mutual benefits. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Sudanese leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan reiterated their concerns and highlighted the importance of water security in the region.
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