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ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia / ANKARA
Ethiopians reacted on Saturday to US President Donald Trump’s statements that Egypt will have to blow up the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).
Trump made the comment in a phone conversation with Sudanese Prime Minister Abdella Hamdok on Friday.
“I made a deal for them, and then unfortunately Ethiopia broke the deal that it shouldn’t have,” Trump said, admitting for the first time that his administration exceeded its observer role and authored a deal, which Trump did through of his Treasury. Secretary Steven Mnuchin.
“We have stopped paying them an amount of aid,” he said, asserting that the dam “prevents the water from flowing into the Nile.”
“It is a very dangerous situation, because Egypt is not going to be able to live that way. They will end up flying that prey […] I say it loud and clear, they will blow up that dam, ”Trump said.
Trump was notably upset by Ethiopia’s withdrawal from the Washington-sponsored talks in late February after his administration submitted a document for signature that Ethiopia rejected, saying it is in Egypt’s best interest. Sudan did not sign that agreement either.
Now the GERD negotiations are in the hands of the African Union as Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt try to reach a win-win deal.
Ethiopia began construction of the more than $ 5 billion hydroelectric dam project in 2011, triggering a protracted diplomatic battle with Egypt that had enjoyed thousands of years of hydroelectric hegemony on the Nile.
Ethiopia contributes 85% of the waters of the Nile, although a 1959 agreement between Sudan and Egypt granted 55.5BCM to Egypt and 18.5BCM to Sudan and nothing to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia’s reactions
Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew summoned US Ambassador Mike Raynor to seek clarification on Trump’s comments.
Gedu said: “The incitement to war between Ethiopia and Egypt by a sitting US president does not reflect the long-standing partnership and strategic alliance between Ethiopia and the United States, nor is it acceptable in international law governing interstate relations.” .
“The Minister also informed the Ambassador that Ethiopia has never succumbed and will not succumb in the future to threats to its sovereignty and will commit to continuing trilateral negotiations within the framework of the African Union,” according to a statement.
Etsegenet Yimenu, Ethiopia’s acting consul general in Istanbul, condemned Trump’s comments.
“The Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam is an affirmation of Ethiopia’s commitment to the equitable and reasonable utilization of the Abbay River. [The Blue Nile]Yimenu told Anadolu Agency on Saturday.
“Ethiopia’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of GERD problems is based on cooperation, non-interference and the desire to seek a win-win solution based on the principle of fair and reasonable utilization. [of the Nile]. Abbay [river] It is Life and Pride for Ethiopia ”, added the Ethiopian diplomat.
“Reckless Conversation of the President of the United States with the Sudanese Prime Minister [prime minister]. Sorry to say, but the man has no idea what he’s talking about. Ethiopia and the Ethiopians will never be threatened by such an irresponsible statement. History will teach everyone, ”former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn tweeted on Saturday.
Power speaking
A hydraulics expert very close to the Nile talks told Anadolu Agency, on condition of anonymity, that Trump did not understand everything, including his claim that a hydroelectric dam stops the flow of water from a river, which it is impossible and unscientific.
“It was not justice or reason that spoke, it was power that spoke,” said the expert, noting that Trump seemed very eager to get the three countries to reach an agreement as soon as possible before the US elections on March 3. of November.
“Trump seemed successful in reaching an agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates; and he wants to unite his perception of victory in foreign policy with the Nile agreement to use it as fodder for the elections ”, he added.
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