Egypt’s diplomatic campaign against GERD, a threat to Africa’s progress: Ugandan Journalist

Addis Ababa, March 27, 2023 (FBC) – Ugandan Multimedia Editor, Writer and Journalist of Plus News Uganda, a Political Talk Show on Baba Television and Radio 4, Kungu Al-Mahadi Adam says that Egypt’s diplomatic campaign against Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a threat to Africa’s progress.

In his latest outlet,  Kungu Al-Mahadi said that Ethiopia is  receiving applause from the rest of the countries in Africa, for single-handedly together with its people, constructing a $5-billion mega-power plant, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egypt is doubling on efforts to fail it.

“I was sadly dismayed a couple of days back when I saw the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukry, during the recently concluded Arab League meeting in Cairo, accusing Ethiopia of continuing to “unilaterally and uncooperatively” fill the dam, later, the meeting issued resolution on Ethiopia to show “flexibility” on the GERD issue, Shoukry would later threaten Ethiopia with an “all options are open” declaration.

Now, whereas this is not surprising because Egypt has since 2011, when Ethiopia broke ground on the $5-billion Dam been turbid about the project, it is shocking that a country that was fully involved and party to the Declaration of Principles (DOP) on the GERD by the three Eastern Nile States (Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan), is turning around to accuse Addis Ababa of unilaterally taking decisions on the usage of Nile waters”, Kungu Al-Mahadi has explained.

The DOP was signed on March 23, 2015 in Khartoum, and so, it is not correct to claim that Ethiopia has not engaged other countries on GERD, Kungu said.

In fact, Egypt endorsed the reality that the dam is in existence including appreciating the safety measures undertaken by Ethiopia which are clearly indicated in Principle VIII of the DOP, he added.

Principle VIII provides that: “The three countries appreciate the efforts undertaken thus far by Ethiopia in implementing the IPoE recommendations pertinent to the GERD safety adding again, Egypt acknowledged the safety measures Ethiopia is undertaking as stated in Principle VII of the DOP, he stated.

He also stated that: “Egypt, Ethiopia, and Sudan shall provide data and information needed for the conduct of the Technical National Committee (TNC) joint studies in good faith and in a timely manner.

“So, recognition of the dam and the safety measures Ethiopia is undertaking were fully given by Egypt in 2015 when it signed the DOP and so, it is hypocricy for Cairo to speak otherwise. Why is Egypt shying away from the agreement it was party to?” Kungu Al-Mahadi has asked.

“Also, as a way of rooting for African solutions to African problems, the AU, has been engaging and continues to engage the three countries to resolve the outstanding issues. I find it rather disturbing for Egypt to run to Arab countries and rally them to engage in a matter involving a purely African water body and three African countries” Kungu Al-Mahadi has indicated.

He added that such misguided ‘resolutions’, not only undermine the sovereignty of Africa and its people, but also threaten regional peace, stability and the progress already attained through internal mechanisms to resolve the issue.

He further  explained that Egypt seeking to maintain the status quo in the flow of the Nile water as indicated in the 1959 agreement which it wants to remain the dominant Reparian country using the Nile for development projects, thus informing its lack of good faith and cooperation to resolve the matter.

“Article 44 of Egyptian constitution of 2014 is the case in point which  provides that the Government of Egypt should protect the historical rights of Nile so negotiations are done with Egypt, a country which has a clear position in its constitution of protecting that historical position, a demonstration that other Reparian States can not utilize the Nile water without Cairo’s permission” Kungu Al-Mahadi has stated.

Accordingly, for Egypt, the use of the Nile water by other countries would endanger its share of the Nile water which it claims under the 1959 treaty which Ethiopia was not party to.

Kungu added that it is fundamental doctrine guiding that all international water related agreements have the responsibility in achieving justice in shared water resources and it is the best means of resolving conflicts which Egypt is not ready to accept it.

He stated that Egypt has got to accept the fact that the Nile River, the longest watercourse in the world has 11 reparian countries, which are now waking up to utilize this natural resource for energy in order to better their nationals, they ought not to seek permission from Egypt to use the Nile water.

Kungu Al-Mahadi mentioned that, Egypt will benefit from water conservation at the GERD instead of wastage of billions of cubic meters of water to evaporation and in downstream flood plains as it also helps to prevent future spillage that overtops the Aswan Dam.

“But, even given these developmental benefits, Egypt still insists on frustrating the construction of the dam. Of course, like earlier stated, Egypt knows that no harm will be caused by the power plant but instead wants to use it as a ‘scarecrow’ towards countries that may wish to establish similar projects on the Nile,” Kungu added.

“See, if Egypt succeeds in failing GERD, it will have achieved its objectives of conveying a message to other Reparian countries that River Nile is “a no go area” for them without Egypt’s approval”, he further explained.

It will actually set a precedent for other upstream states, which is unacceptable. There is no way colonial agreements on the Nile can bind countries with were not party to, he added.

In his conclusion, the Ugandan multimedia Journalist said that African countries ought to move in fast and conclusively reign-in on this matter, since it poses a threat on regional safety, and undermines Africa’s progress and development.