Addis Ababa:Ethiopia's Water and Energy Minister, Habtamu Itefa, has reaffirmed the country's right to construct dams for irrigation and water supply without needing Egypt's consent. He announced the completion of a significant dam on the Magech River, emphasizing its alignment with Ethiopia's sovereign rights and international laws.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, Habtamu criticized Egyptian politicians for insisting on prior consent for dam projects that do not significantly impact Egypt. He argued that Egypt did not consult Ethiopia when constructing the Aswan High Dam, and thus, should not expect Ethiopia to seek permission for its projects.
Habtamu stressed that the Nile River should not be exclusively controlled by downstream countries and highlighted Ethiopia's rights as an upstream riparian state to develop its water resources. He described Egypt's demand for prior consent as outdated, rooted in colonial-era arrangements.
Ethiopia, while asserting its rights, does not aim to harm downstream populations. The Minister pointed out the social, cultural, and historical ties Ethiopia shares with Sudan and South Sudan, emphasizing a cooperative approach to river development. He rejected claims that Ethiopia's projects, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), are harmful, stating that they primarily aim at hydropower generation.
The Minister also addressed historical opposition from Egypt to Ethiopian water projects, which dates back to the 1950s and 1960s. Despite this, Ethiopia remains committed to developing its water infrastructure, as demonstrated by the ongoing Magech project.
Habtamu condemned remarks by Egyptian officials that Ethiopians lack education, labeling them as remnants of a colonial mindset. He reiterated Ethiopia's principle of equitable and reasonable utilization of the Nile waters, challenging the relevance of historical agreements that exclude upstream nations.
The Ethiopian government has recently formed a national committee to assess economic losses and missed development opportunities due to over 22 projects allegedly blocked by Egypt, further underscoring the ongoing tensions between the two nations over Nile water resources.
