Addis Ababa, June 26, 2020 (FBC) –American Ambassadors have asked the Trump administration to embrace neutrality and support genuine mediation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
The ambassadors are Johnnie Carson, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Herman Cohen, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Dr. Chester Crocker, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Jendayi Frazer, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, George Moose, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Susan Rice, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs and Linda Thomas-Greenfield, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.
In a letter to the Under Secretary for Political Affairs, David Hale, they expressed their concerns about the escalating tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt over the use of the Nile waters and construction of the dam.
“The GERD talks are entering a critical phase, and we urge the United States to embrace neutrality and support genuine mediation, which is the best way to advance our interests and to ensure security and stability in the region,” they said.
The Ambassadors also recommended the United States to encourage a neutral and credible country outside of Africa and the Middle East to mediate the disagreement.
According to them “the perception—rightly or wrongly—that the United States has sided with Egypt in the negotiations will limit our ability to support efforts aimed at reaching a settlement.”
They further said that “Pressure on Ethiopia or suspension of multilateral or bilateral assistance will harden positions and make compromise more difficult.”