Ethiopia’s Water Minister Habtamu Itefa confirmed the successful visit of Nile Basin ministers to the GERD, countering Egypt’s objections. The visit, described as a response to “false propaganda,” allowed ministers to observe Ethiopia’s progress. Egypt’s Minister of Water Resources, Hani Sewilam, had advised against the visit, warning of heightened tensions among the nations.
Habtamu Itefa, the Ethiopian Minister of Water and Energy, announced the successful visit of water ministers from Nile Basin countries to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) despite objections from Egypt. He remarked that this visit countered Egyptian attempts to discourage participation and denounced such actions as “false propaganda.” The invitation coincided with an extraordinary ministerial meeting of the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) held in Addis Ababa on February 22, 2025.
Minister Hani Sewilam of Egypt formally urged the ministers not to accept the invitation to visit GERD, expressing concerns that the inclusion of the dam in the Nile Day program might escalate tensions among the Nile Basin countries. However, the other ministers chose to tour the dam, emphasizing their disregard for Egypt’s position. Habtamu mentioned, “The difference between prior misinformation and the reality on the ground was striking to them,” highlighting the benefits perceived during the visit.
During the tour, all attending ministers engaged at the ministerial level, except for the Tanzanian minister, who had to depart for urgent electoral matters. Habtamu stressed that the visit was informative, allowing officials to witness Ethiopia’s accomplishments firsthand. This visit aimed to promote transparency and cooperation among the Nile Basin nations amidst ongoing disputes over resource management.
In summary, the visit to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam by Nile Basin ministers, as described by Minister Habtamu Itefa, underscores Ethiopia’s commitment to transparency in water resource management. Despite Egyptian objections, the visit demonstrated the stark difference between misconceptions and the realities of the project. The ongoing diplomatic tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia regarding the GERD continue to be highlighted in discussions among basin countries.
Original Source: addisstandard.com
