Ethiopia says League of Arab States’ resolution echoes hostile rhetoric regarding GERD

Addis Ababa, May 22, 2023 (FBC) – Ethiopia notes with dismay that the resolution adopted by the recent Summit of the League of Arab States echoed Egyptian hostile rhetoric regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), said Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement.

“This resolution is an affront to the African Union and its Member States, which are working to bring an amicable negotiated resolution to the GERD matter. It runs contrary to the cherished and shared history of the peoples of Africa and the Arab world,” the statement says.

“In 2015, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan signed the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles, which unambiguously provides that the construction of the Dam shall! Continue in parallel to the negotiations on the guidelines and rules on the first filling and operation of the Dam.”

“The details of dam filling, including the volume and duration, have been agreed upon between the experts of the three countries. Throughout the process, going out of its way, Ethiopia has catered to the concerns of Egypt and Sudan.”

Ethiopia is and will continue to act respecting the principle of equitable and reasonable utilization of the waters of the Nile. Thus, the allegation that Ethiopia has taken unilateral measures is a deliberate mischaracterization, the Foreign Ministry underscored.

Egypt’s attempts to exert pressure on Ethiopia by using the Arab League forum represent its lack of good faith and violation of the Agreement on the Declaration of Principles it concluded with Ethiopia and Sudan, the statement stressed.

Ethiopia works closely with Sudan on all bilateral matters, including regarding the GERD. Ethiopia commends those Member States of the League of Arab States that cautioned against Egypt’s attempts to escalate the matter.

Ethiopia is confident that members of the League, particularly the Member States of the African Union, will disassociate themselves from this resolution. They should prevent Egypt’s further misuse of the League that could potentially create a rift in the longstanding African-Arab friendship and historic relations.

Ethiopia calls upon Egypt to abandon its unlawful claim to the monopoly of the Nile River, citing defunct colonial agreements and a colonial-mentality-based position negotiate in good faith and reach a win-win outcome.

“Egypt should also act responsibly to lay the foundation for future generations of all the Nile River basin countries to nurture friendship and cooperation based on mutual respect.”