Ethiopia’s Minister of Water, Dr. Habtamu Itefa, announced that Nile Basin ministers visited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) despite Egypt’s objections. He claimed the visit contradicted Egypt’s narrative and showcased Ethiopia’s achievements. Egypt had previously urged against the visit, fearing it could escalate tensions. Ultimately, the ministers observed firsthand the progress of the GERD, enhancing understanding of the project.
In a recent statement, Dr. Habtamu Itefa, Ethiopia’s Minister of Water and Energy, confirmed that water ministers from the Nile Basin countries visited the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), despite efforts by Egypt to deter them. He asserted that this visit undermined opposition towards Ethiopia regarding the dam’s development. Habtamu emphasized the importance of this visit during the extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) held in Addis Ababa on February 22, 2025.
Although Egypt’s Water Resources and Irrigation Minister, Hani Sewilam, formally urged ministers not to accept Ethiopia’s invitation to visit the GERD, Habtamu noted that the representatives chose to proceed with the tour. He dismissed Egypt’s warnings of heightened tensions regarding the dam as “false propaganda.” The Ethiopian minister mentioned that the visit provided firsthand insights into the realities surrounding the project’s progress and achievements.
The Nile Basin ministers experienced a significant contrast between prior misconceptions and the actual developments during their visit to the GERD. According to Habtamu, all participating ministers, with the exception of one who had to attend urgent electoral matters, actively toured the dam—a step they considered beneficial to better understand Ethiopia’s accomplishments amidst ongoing disputes.
The Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy highlighted the recent visit of Nile Basin ministers to the GERD, despite objections from Egypt. This visit was portrayed as a necessary step towards dispelling misinformation and fostering unity among basin countries. Habtamu’s remarks underscore Ethiopia’s commitment to transparency and collaboration regarding the dam’s development while simultaneously challenging Egypt’s position on the issue.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
