Comments on GERD violate Ethiopia’s sovereignty, benefit no one: MoFA

Addis Ababa, October 24, 2020 (FBC) –Any comment on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) violates Ethiopia’s sovereignty and would benefits no one, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

MoFA’s statement came following US President Donald Trump’s comments on Friday about GERD suggesting that Egypt may destroy the dam.

Ambassador Dina Mufti, Spokesperson of MoFA, told FBC that the dam is the development needs and rights of Ethiopians as well as the results of hard works of a sovereign state.

The dam, which is nearing completion, is a national flagship project being built by only Ethiopians without any help or support, Ambassador Dina Stated.

“Violating Ethiopia’s sovereignty and unfair comments on GERD would benefit no one. Ethiopia is a sovereign state and will continue to be sovereign,” he said.

Any negative comments about GERD project would benefit no one and violates sovereignty as well as deny the freedom and development aspiration of people, he said.

Guided by the principle of fair and equitable utilization of the Nile, Ethiopia has been in negotiations with the riparian countries over the past years.

The Spokesperson said the agreement signed by six riparian countries in 2010 repealed the colonial agreement regarding the Nile waters.

No one can deny Ethiopia the right to use its resources, he said, adding violating the sovereignty of countries would not be beneficial for all sides. The only solution is to adhere to the principle of rational and equitable use of Nile.

Ambassador Dina said Ethiopia is committed to the principle of fair and equitable utilization as well as to the African Union (AU) led negotiation regarding the GERD.