#Commentary: #GERD: New reality in Nile Basin; #Africa’s emerging power dynamic

For more than a decade, #Egypt has sought to halt or disrupt the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). As the dam's official inauguration approaches, Memar Ayalew Demeke, the author of this commentary, emphasizes an undeniable truth: “Egypt must now confront the irreversible reality that GERD’s inauguration is no longer a possibility to prevent but a certainty to accept.” He adds, “The era of resistance has ended; the age of adaptation must begin.”

The author explains that Egypt’s admission that 12 years of negotiations “yielded no concrete outcomes” signifies the collapse of its historical dominance, which was rooted in colonial-era treaties. He notes the GERD’s completion marks the end of Egypt’s "hydro-hegemony," a position maintained for over a century by treaties that granted it veto power over upstream projects. As Memar writes, “The psychological shift is profound: Egypt must now request water security rather than demand it, negotiate as an equal rather than dictate terms.”

The article further highlights that for #Ethiopia, the GERD is a triumph of self-reliance. Financed primarily through domestic fundraising, it embodies “Africa’s capacity for self-determination in the face of international opposition.” Beyond its political implications, the dam's power output is poised to transform Ethiopia’s economy, provide electricity to millions, and establish the nation as a regional energy hub.

The author argues that the GERD’s inauguration marks “not just the completion of Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, but the definitive end of an era where downstream nations controlled the fate of the world’s longest river.” He states that the choice for Egypt and #Sudan is clear: "embrace cooperation and seek mutual benefits or persist in futile opposition while Ethiopia and other upstream nations forge ahead with their development agenda."

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52344

#CBE says it financed 91% of #GERD construction costs through loans

The Commercial Bank of Ethiopia (CBE) has announced that it provided financing services for more than 91% of the construction cost of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), amounting to over 223 billion birr. The dam is scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, 9 September 2025.

In addition to its financing role, the bank facilitated the collection of public contributions through bond sales and donations. CBE said it has “played an irreplaceable role” in supporting the project since its inception.

Construction of the GERD began in April 2011. The dam, which holds a 74 billion cubic meter (BCM) reservoir and has an installed capacity of 5,150 megawatts (MW), is set to become Africa’s largest hydropower facility once fully operational.

Despite ongoing objections from #Egypt, #Ethiopia maintains that the GERD stands as a symbol of African self-reliance and regional development.

#Ethiopia accuses #Arab League of bias toward #Egypt in Nile Dam dispute

Ethiopia's ambassador to Somalia has sharply criticized the Arab League, accusing it of siding with Egypt in the long-running dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and undermining Ethiopia's right to use its own natural resources.

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Ambassador Suleiman Dedefo questioned the neutrality and purpose of the Arab League, implying that it has become an extension of Egyptian foreign policy.

"Is this truly a League of Arab Nations, or merely an instrument executing Egypt's anti-Ethiopia policy?" he wrote.

"The League has overlooked the conflicts, displacement, and famine affecting its member states while obsessively targeting Ethiopia's development of its own water resources," Mr. Dedefo added.

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/world/africa/ethiopia-accuses-arab-league-of-bias-toward-egypt-in-nile-dam-dispute

#GERD project manager says #Sudan, #Egypt should have shared half of construction cost

In a televised interview, Eng. Kifle Horo, project manager of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), said the project brings significant benefits not only to Ethiopia but also to downstream countries, particularly Sudan and Egypt. He emphasized that Sudan will benefit from consistent water flow, reduced flooding, full reservoirs, and year-round farming opportunities.

On Egypt, Kifle noted that the dam’s location in Ethiopia reduces evaporation compared to Egypt’s plain-based reservoir, potentially saving an additional 4 billion cubic meters of water annually.

He argued that given these advantages, “Sudan should have covered at least 30% and Egypt 20% of the cost,” adding that instead of cooperating, both countries opposed the project, costing Ethiopia lives and resources.

Watch!

#Ethiopia – A light show lit up the skies over #Guba in Benishangul Gumuz region on the eve of the official inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD). The show is being broadcast live on state owned stations.

The pride of #Ethiopia - What it took to build #Africa's largest hydro-electric #dam

The vastness of the building site was at first overwhelming for the young Ethiopian mechanical engineer.

Hundreds were already digging the foundations in tough conditions for what is now Africa's largest hydro-electric dam, straddling the Blue Nile.

Moges Yeshiwas was 27 when he arrived in that remote corner of western Ethiopia in 2012, eager to gain valuable experience in his profession. The completion of the project is set to change his nation, but it also changed his life.

On a personal level, Mr Moges, now 40, was also "very proud to be part of it".

"Watching the dam's progress day by day was deeply satisfying. I came seeking employment, but somewhere along the way, it stopped feeling like just a job. I grew attached to the project, worrying about its future as if it were my own."

People from all walks of life contributed to building the dam through donations and the purchase of government-issued bonds.

Clinical nurse Kiros Asfaw was one of those.

Despite being from the Tigray region, which was blighted by a two-year civil war, he contributed when he could to the dam's construction ever since the plans were first announced in 2011.

He says he bought government bonds more than 100 times – though he had to pause his purchases during the conflict, when basic services, including banking, were suspended in Tigray.

Mr Kiros' motivation was rooted in remarks made by Ethiopia's late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who oversaw the beginning of the project, that all Ethiopians must come together in backing the dam.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cr4qx6377qgo

#African leaders seek to offer climate model after #US pullback

African leaders aim to offer a global model for tackling the climate crisis through green investments, they said on Monday, after the United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement deflated the fight against climate change.

The continent, which has been buffeted by landslides, floods and droughts this year, is holding its second climate summit in Ethiopia, seeking a common voice ahead of global climate talks in Brazil, COP30.

"We are not here to negotiate our survival. We are here to design the world's next climate economy," Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed told the opening ceremony.

Leaders have been positioning the 54-nation continent as ripe for investments in carbon capture, renewable energy, critical minerals for green technology and food production to keep development on track amid the climate crisis.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/cop/african-leaders-seek-offer-climate-model-after-us-pullback-2025-09-08/

#Ethiopia

Happening: The official inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (#GERD) is underway.

The unveiling of the commemorative plaques was led by President William Ruto of Kenya and President Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti, later joined by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Also in attendance are President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia, Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados, along with other invited dignitaries.

Video: State House Kenya

News: EIB Global partners with three #Ethiopian banks to boost climate finance

Addis Ababa – The European Investment Bank’s development arm, #EIB Global, has signed technical assistance agreements with #Zemen Bank, #Dashen Bank and #Hibret Bank to strengthen their capacity in managing climate risks and expanding green lending in Ethiopia.

The deal, announced on the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, is the first of its kind in the country and part of the Greening Financial Systems Program, financed by Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI).

“Financial institutions play a critical role in addressing climate-related risks and directing financial flows to zero-carbon and climate-resilient projects,” said Leyla Traoré, EIB Head of Representation to Ethiopia and the African Union, in a statement shared with Addis Standard.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52354

#Jubaland forces launch joint security operation with #Ethiopian troops in southern Somalia

Security forces from #Somalia’s Jubaland regional state, in coordination with Ethiopian troops and local police, have launched a wide-ranging operation for a second consecutive day in and around the town of Doolow, near the Ethiopian border.

According to Mogadishu based Shebelle Media, the joint operation extends to key road networks linking the districts of #Doolow, #Luuq, and #Beled Hawo. Authorities said the campaign aims to prevent threats posed by al-Shabaab militants and ensure the safety of civilians. “Our objective is to pre-empt any potential security threats and to stabilize the area,” said Mohamud Abdi Hashi, the regional police commander, during a press briefing alongside Mohamed Hassan Bulle, head of regional security.

The commanders urged residents to cooperate with the ongoing efforts, which include patrols, checkpoints, and search missions across several villages. Officials said the security drive is part of a broader push by Somali regional forces to restore order in the Gedo region, amid rising tensions between the federal government in Mogadishu and Jubaland authorities over control of key areas.

The coordinated operation also comes amid reports that #Egyptian military personnel may be deployed to the region in the near future, a move seen by analysts as part of broader regional posturing linked to strained Egypt–Ethiopia relations. Security officials in Gedo described the operation as “strategic and preventive,” and said it would continue until “peace is fully restored” to the region.

https://shabellemedia.com/jubaland-forces-launch-joint-security-operation-with-ethiopian-troops-in-southern-somalia/

#Op_ed: Breaking Past, Building Future: #GERD inauguration shatters myth of ‘historical rights’ on #Nile

In this op-ed, Hassen Mama Muse argues that #Ethiopia's completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) marks a new era for the Nile River, moving away from outdated colonial treaties and toward a more just and cooperative future. He notes that for decades, #Egypt and #Sudan have claimed "historical rights" to the Nile's waters, based on agreements from the British colonial era that effectively denied upstream nations like Ethiopia a share of the river. Hassen emphasizes that these treaties are illegitimate under international law, as "a treaty cannot impose obligations or confer rights on a third party."

The author explains that the GERD represents Ethiopia's legal right to "equitable and reasonable utilization" of the Nile. As a non-consumptive hydroelectric project, the dam not only provides electricity for Ethiopia but also offers benefits to downstream countries, such as flood control and reduced siltation. Hassen contends that for lasting stability and shared prosperity, it is "essential for downstream states, particularly Egypt and Sudan, to move beyond their claims of historical rights and embrace the principles of international water law."

Drawing on examples from the Mekong Commission, the Indus Treaty, and the Columbia River deal—all of which prove that “water can be a tool for peace, not conflict”—the article highlights the importance of shared responsibility and mutual benefit over individual claims.

The author highlights that the Nile’s future lies not in colonial ennoscriptments but in collective stewardship. He concludes, “The GERD is not an act of aggression but rather a rightful exercise of Ethiopia's legal right to develop its resources for the benefit of its people within the context of transboundary watercourse usage.”

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52352

#Ethiopia: #Tigray interim president warns of “visible cloud of war,” urges federal government to fully implement #Pretoria_Agreement

Amid rising tensions in Tigray and between Ethiopia and Eritrea, Lt. Gen. Tadesse Werede, president of the Tigray Interim Administration, has warned of a “visible cloud of war” and urged the federal government to fully implement the Pretoria Peace Agreement, following local protests in Maichew over a leadership reshuffle. The 2025 Global Peace Index has identified Ethiopia-#Eritrea as one of four conflict dyads at highest risk of rapid escalation, while Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister accused Eritrea of supporting TPLF factions and armed groups, warning that such actions threaten fragile peace in the Horn of Africa.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52359

Team #JAKENN and #Addis_Standard congratulate the people of Ethiopia on the historic milestone of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

The #GERD stands as Ethiopia’s pride, a monument to sacrifice, unity, and unshakable determination.

Today, we celebrate the GERD as more than steel and concrete: it is the heartbeat of Ethiopia, the symbol of dignity, and the triumph of a country that dared the impossible and made it real.

In celebrating this achievement, we honor the unthinkable vision of the late Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, who laid its foundations, and remember with deep respect the limitless dream and tireless dedication of GERD’s late Chief Engineer, Semegnew Bekele.

Congratulations, Ethiopia. The GERD is our pride.


https://youtu.be/_mesuQye49k

News: #Ethiopia’s #GERD equals energy of ‘three nuclear power plants’: Webuild

The GERD is “one of the biggest and most advanced infrastructure projects to be built in years,” #Webuild_Group, the Italian leading engineering company (formerly Salini Impregilo), said.

https://addisstandard.com/?p=52365

#Egypt warns #Ethiopia’s Nile dam ‘violates international law’ in letter to #UN Security Council

Egypt on Tuesday said it has submitted a letter to the UN Security Council warning against Ethiopia’s unilateral operation of its new Nile dam, describing the move as a “breach” of international law.

In the letter, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Addis Ababa’s inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) was “an unlawful unilateral act” that cannot be legitimized.

“Any misconceptions that Cairo would turn a blind eye to its existential interests in the Nile are pure delusions,” the letter said, stressing that Egypt “will not allow Ethiopia to impose unilateral control over shared water resources.”

Cairo said it reserves the right to take all measures permitted under international law and the UN Charter “to defend the existential interests of its people.”


https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/egypt-warns-ethiopia-s-nile-dam-violates-international-law-in-letter-to-un-security-council/3682496

#Egypt identifies military bases in #Somalia ahead of troop deployment

The Egyptian Defence Forces have identified various Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) in Somalia ahead of the deployment of its troops, who will be serving in the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), as African countries assist in the state-building process.

Several key towns were identified by the technical committee of the Egyptian army, which visited the Horn of Africa nation last week, as part of its evaluation of the environment, climate, and community interaction for the Egyptian forces.

According to multiple sources, the Egyptian forces will be stationed in Bal'ad, Jowhar, Burane, and Mahaday currently manned by Burundian peacekeepers operating in the Middle Shabelle region.

https://www.garoweonline.com/en/news/somalia/egypt-identifies-military-bases-in-somalia-ahead-of-troop-deployment