GERD of Ethiopia completed its fourth filling successfully

September 11, 2023

(3 minutes read)

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia announced the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile. The dam has been the source of regional tensions with downstream Egypt and Sudan

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia announced through social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter) the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Nile. The dam has been the source of regional tensions with downstream Egypt and Sudan.

In a statement, Abiy Ahmed stated that he faced numerous challenges during the dam’s construction, including internal difficulties and external pressures. Egypt and Sudan right from the beginning have been against the construction of the dam since they feared it would affect the flow of waters in the Nile. They fear that during the summer months, the dam would affect the natural flow of water and during the rainy season it could lead to flooding.

Abiy Ahmed expressed gratitude for the collective effort and divine guidance that helped them to accomplish the task to this level. Abiy also expressed confidence in their ability to accomplish their plans in the future for the general good of the people in all countries where the Nile passes through.

The massive US$4.2-billion dam, under construction since 2011 is considered crucial by Addis Ababa. However, it has been a focal point of regional disputes. The negotiations to resolve the issue almost hit a dead end after long consultations, with several intermediaries. The Ethiopian Prime Minister reiterated that the aim of the proposed agreement among the stakeholders is to take into consideration the interests and concerns of all three countries involved. In the meantime, Egyptian irrigation minister Hani Sewilam called for an end to unilateral actions in this context, giving the impression that the stalemate is far from over.