By HAN News Desk
ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopia’s Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, has said it is “unfair and unjust” for a growing nation like Ethiopia not to have full access to the water resources within its territory, in remarks seen as a strong defense of the country’s position in ongoing Nile River disputes.
Speaking during a military ceremony in Addis Ababa on Friday, Field Marshal Birhanu said Ethiopia’s rapid population growth and economic development make it essential for the country to utilize its natural resources, especially water, to meet the needs of its people.
“It is not fair that a nation with a population of more than 120 million should remain dependent on others for access to water that originates from its own land,” he stated, emphasizing that Ethiopia has the sovereign right to develop and use its resources responsibly.
His comments are widely interpreted as a reference to the long-running tensions between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a massive hydroelectric project on the Blue Nile that has been a source of regional friction for over a decade.
Egypt and Sudan have repeatedly raised concerns that the dam could reduce their share of Nile waters, while Ethiopia insists the project is vital for its development and will not significantly harm downstream countries.
The Ethiopian government has often defended the dam as a symbol of national pride and self-reliance, arguing that it represents the country’s right to lift millions out of poverty through clean energy production.
Analysts say Field Marshal Birhanu’s remarks reflect Addis Ababa’s continued resolve to assert its water rights amid stalled negotiations and growing international attention to the dispute.
