By HAN News Desk
ADDIS ABABA — Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Friday that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) does not violate the sovereignty of neighboring countries or threaten their national interests, reaffirming his government’s position amid ongoing regional tensions over the $4-billion project.
In a special statement ahead of Ramadan, Abiy described Ethiopia’s efforts to secure access to the sea as a “vital existential necessity,” driven by the country’s growing population and its development ambitions. He emphasized that the GERD, Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, is intended to support energy generation, irrigation, and economic growth, rather than infringe on the rights of downstream nations.
The GERD, built on the Blue Nile near Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, has been a source of dispute with Sudan and Egypt. Both countries have expressed concerns that the dam could reduce their access to Nile water, affect agriculture, and threaten their long-term water security. Negotiations mediated by the African Union and other international actors have yet to produce a lasting agreement on the dam’s filling and operation.
Ethiopia insists the dam is designed to prevent downstream flooding, regulate water flow, and provide electricity for millions, while affirming a commitment to cooperation and information sharing with Egypt and Sudan. Analysts note that the project has become a symbol of Ethiopia’s national pride and development strategy, even as diplomatic efforts continue to resolve disagreements over water rights and regional cooperation.
