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Source: Dubai-Arabia.net
Following reports indicating US dissatisfaction with Ethiopia’s stance on the Renaissance dam dossier, an Ethiopian diplomat revealed that his country had asked the United States for clarification on reports that US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo agreed to cut up to $ 130 million in aid to Ethiopia due to its conflict with Egypt. And Sudan around a huge dam to build on the Blue Nile.
Fitzum Ariga, Ethiopia’s ambassador to the United States, said on Twitter Monday that he had heard that the aid cut was linked to the Grand Renaissance dam and that he awaited an explanation from the United States later today.
“We will bring Ethiopia out of the darkness”
He also added that his country is determined to complete the dam and said: “We will bring Ethiopia out of the darkness.”
This came after Foreign Policy magazine on Thursday night reported on an expected measure to cut aid soon, after the US Secretary of State signed a decision on it, sparking anger in Ethiopia, America’s regional security ally.
From Khartoum … a fishing boat on the Nile River (Archives – France Press)
While a spokesman for the US State Department said on Friday that there are no announcements on US aid to Ethiopia at this time. “We believe that the course of action of Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan in the past indicates the possibility of reaching a fair and balanced agreement in a way that takes into account the interests of the three countries,” he added.
He also stressed that the US administration is committed to working with the three countries until they reach a fair agreement on this issue.
The US magazine reported that Addis Ababa could be deprived of some $ 130 million in US aid, in a measure through which Washington seeks to end the confrontation between Ethiopia and other countries that oppose the construction of the Renaissance Dam ( Egypt and Sudan).
‘Life threat’
It should be noted that the Renaissance dam that Ethiopia is building on the Blue Nile has, since 2011, become a source of intense tension between Addis Ababa, on the one hand, and Cairo and Khartoum, on the other.
This dam is expected to become the largest water-based power plant in Africa.
Since 2011, the three countries have been negotiating to reach an agreement on the filling and operation of the dam, but despite the passage of all these years, they have not been able to reach an agreement.
While Ethiopia views the dam as necessary for economic development, Egypt views it as a vital threat, as the Nile River provides it with more than 95% of its irrigation and drinking water needs.
The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile on July 21
In July, Ethiopia announced that it had begun to fill its giant dam, which worried Cairo and Khartoum.
Last week (Aug 20), Ethiopia revealed the start date for the second phase of filling the dam, and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said at the time that the second phase of filling the dam lake will be next August, when the rainy season arrives, as 18.4 billion cubic meters of water are expected.
He also made it clear that the works that will run from September to next August will be crucial to complete the construction of the Renaissance Dam by 2023.
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