The Significance of the GERD
On August 12, 2022, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced the completion of the third phase of filling the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) reservoir.[1]. This news has thrilled the hearts of Ethiopians and friends of Ethiopia worldwide. Generally, the construction of the mega-dam reservoir is undoubtedly a watershed moment for Ethiopia. Below, please find information regarding the significance of this milestone and what it means for the future of Ethiopia:
1. Self-Reliance
Ethiopia is currently in need of political stability and security. Given that this hydropower project — which entails a projected cost of USD 5 billion — would provide much-needed electric power generation for the nation, it is crucial to Ethiopia’s economic progress.
Additionally, this project serves as an opportunity for Ethiopians to highlight their self-reliance and take bold action against ethnic conflicts that have hampered economic growth and stifled national sentiment. Ethnic violence has become the most severe public manifestation of Ethiopia’s political and social shortcomings; thus, Ethiopians must resolve their disagreements to maintain a viable political system that appeals to every Ethiopian in the twenty-first century. Moreover, they must remember that self-reliance flourishes when foundations of unity are firmly established. Efforts to force one’s influence on another are disruptive and politically damaging.
Notably, with the support of entrenched insiders, Ethiopia’s historical enemies are working harder than ever to bring the country to the brink of civil war. They are concerned not only about Ethiopia’s recent steps but perhaps more significantly about Ethiopia’s bright future. They aim to undermine issues related to the dam and anchor Ethiopia into an unending political quagmire. This is the unfortunate reality that enemies of Ethiopia have devised for its fate, and amidst self-inflicting clashes and bloodshed, foreign incursions can achieve their aims. Such turbulence was perhaps intended to make Ethiopians lose faith in themselves.
The rich nations often exploit the elusive veneer of aid and development to exert power and influence. Nevertheless, Ethiopia is striving to emerge as a continental powerhouse committed to freeing its citizens from the gripping edge of poverty. The positive impression of the dam illustrates this shift and reflects the country’s transformative potential. In the aftermath of this challenging period, Ethiopia’s standing will become even more prominent worldwide.
The progress associated with the dam’s completion must forever serve as a testament to Ethiopians’ self-reliance. The construction of a massive structure by an economically challenged country determined to overcome the shackles of poverty should have made Ethiopia the poster child for development. However, reactions by international powers instead contrasted this narrative quite significantly. Specifically, Egypt made every effort to remind Ethiopians that their country requires external approval to determine the destiny of its people.
Orchestrated rhetorical attacks by Egypt and Sudan began to escalate into global diplomatic tit-for-tats since the inception of construction on April 11, 2011. Of course, the innumerable foreign threats and hostile rhetoric are impossible to address in such a short article adequately; however, the issue even involved Donald Trump, the 45th president of the United States. On Friday, October 23, 2020, President Trump stated that Egypt might ultimately decide to “blow up” the GERD due to Ethiopia’s alleged violation of a deal to resolve a dispute with Egypt and Sudan regarding the dam.[2] In a statement issued by his office on Saturday, October 24, 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed immediately responded to the comments. Although he did not mention President Trump by name, he noted, “Occasional statements of belligerent threats to have Ethiopia succumb to unfair terms still abound.” The ill-advised comments have also struck a nerve in Ethiopia, where patriotism is not in short supply.
2. Focus
The new generation’s perception of Ethiopia must be rooted in a commitment to ethnic and religious impartialities that counter recent identity-centered conflicts and bloodshed. Strategic efforts must bring politically disconnected and disenfranchised youth to the forefront. After all, if Ethiopia cannot look beyond ethnicity, its prominence on the continent will be significantly harmed. Thus, it must go beyond ethnic confines and resist any sectarian or religious radicalism that has marred the social fiber. Ethiopia’s lack of focus on its priorities severely impedes the advancement of peace and stability and poses an essential threat to the nation’s security and development. Fortunately, the issue of the GERD will inspire Ethiopian youth to focus on the present and future.
3. Dynamism
The GERD injects much-needed vitality into the national psyche by immortalizing the unwavering sacrifices made by Ethiopians in fully funding associated construction costs. The purported status report on the dam thrilled Ethiopians worldwide. Although Ethiopians anticipate a bright future after accomplishing this monumental feat, they cannot ignore the systematically orchestrated positions of international financial institutions that turned their backs in times of financial need.
4. Symbol of Unity
The Abay River is a transboundary river that benefits Ethiopia and its next-door neighbors. Thus, the primary cornerstone of the GERD initiative rests on collaboration. Maintaining national unity and territorial integrity appears to be Ethiopia’s utmost priority. Likewise, the arduous task of preserving cohesion and normalcy is not a luxury for a country striving for a better future while confronting various threats to its national unity. As a result, the GERD is nothing less than a milestone fostering much-needed unity, togetherness, interdependence, cohesion, and security.
The GERD will also promote harmony at the national level. The nation can transcend political barriers by promoting interdependence through education and shared visions. The configuration of all-inclusive approaches towards a broader national narrative (inspired by the GERD) must constitute the country’s required sense of national priorities. Ethiopians must be committed to fostering national unity while respecting ethnic diversity. Advancing solidarities between cultures and traditions will significantly benefit the nation if the ultimate objective is to instill an equitable national platform. Interpreting history must be free from manipulation and advancing a one-sided political agenda. Addressing political disparities will not result from patriotic or sentimental rhetoric about a glorious past; instead, it must go beyond that.
5. Reconfiguring the Discourse
Considering how crucial the river was to ancient Egyptian life, the Greek historian Herodotus gave the region the moniker “the Gift of River Nile.” Egypt frequently uses this statement as a critical strategy to assert exclusive ownership of the river.
On the contrary, Ethiopia has claimed that it has an inclusive perception of the river. For instance, in a speech on August 12, 2022, following the successful completion of the third filling of the GERD reservoir, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed stated, “Abay is a gift of God to Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. We will share it accordingly. Had it been given to us alone; it would drain in Ethiopia like Awash River.” The Prime Minister added, “From the beginning, we [the Ethiopians] did not want to make the river our own.”
Ethiopians refer to this body of water as the Abay River rather than the Nile. Besides, as an essential episode in Ethiopia’s history, the dam’s significance transcends geographical limits and serves as a continental milestone. It has diverse elements that symbolize Ethiopians’ tenacity and resilience.
Therefore, Ethiopia must improve and revisit its narrative of the Abay River because external powers have long appropriated how Ethiopians conceptualize their favored river. In the past, Ethiopians wrote poems and sang for the Abay River while simultaneously using it in their sayings and metaphors. Thus, it is undoubtedly Ethiopia’s most revered source of national pride. Yet, through generations, Ethiopians still believed that their legendary Abay River (or the “Nile,” recognized internationally) had benefited the neighboring countries, Sudan and Egypt, more than Ethiopia. Accordingly, in this new era, Ethiopia’s initiatives must continue to promote sound opinions of the river and purge tainted images and parables. Long gone are the days of Abay madäriya yäläwïm, gïnd yïzzo yïzoral.[3] Fortunately, Ethiopia could presently say that Abay madäriya alläw (lit. Abay River has an abode).
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed emphasized the ultimate economic possibilities of the dam upon its completion. “The dam will result in the formation of more than seventy islands, forty of which will have more than 10 hectares of land, while the smallest will have five.”[4] Now, for the first time in their nation’s history, Ethiopians are on the verge of realizing that what they already have is far superior to the strange fantasy of life, opportunities, and resources available in faraway lands.
Notes
[1] The statement was made one day after Ethiopia declared that the second turbine at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) had begun producing electricity.
[2] Mr. Trump was on a phone call with the Prime Ministers of the State of Israel and Sudan to announce a deal to begin normalizing relations between the two former enemies.
[3] The well-known Amharic saying literally means: “Abay [River] has no place to spend the night and goes around [aimlessly] while carrying a trunk of a tree.” The contextual meaning implies the futility of the Abay River to its homeland.
[4] The speech was made onsite on August 12, 2022, following the completion of the third filling of the GERD reservoir.
