By Gezmu Edicha Following the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), through rigorous hard work day and night over the last fourteen years, Egypt is swinging back and forth, accusing Ethiopia for everything they are facing: drought or flood, as the saying damned if you do, damned If you don’t goes. The very moment Ethiopia began generating power and the GERD reservoir started serving its intended purpose, Egypt shifted its narrative: too much water is released by GERD replacing its old narrative the dam caused water scarcity. No longer short of water, Egypt suddenly claimed that Ethiopia was releasing too much water. Guess next time, Egyptian leaders may accuse Ethiopia for a lightning strike! Ethiopia is reshaping its future by focusing on water and clean energy production and the cornerstone of this development plan is GERD. Throughout the construction period of GERD, downstream states, Egypt and Sudan did not face shortage of Nile water. A modern dam built in the cool highlands of Ethiopia actually conserves water. It prevents billions of cubic meters of waters which otherwise could be evaporated from the scorching desert sun in Egypt. Building water reservoir dam in the highlands of Ethiopia prevents water loss. Numerous hydrological studies have shown that the GERD actually benefits both Egypt and Sudan by reducing sedimentation and silt accumulation in their dams, mitigating devastating floods, and ensuring a more stable flow of water throughout the year. The dam also reduces evaporation losses due to its location in the Ethiopian highlands — a scientific advantage that improves overall Nile water efficiency for all. Research also indicates that the GERD will play a significant role in reducing the effects of droughts in the Horn of Africa, including in Egypt and Sudan, by stabilizing water availability. This aligns perfectly with Ethiopia’s Green Legacy Initiative, which aims to combat climate change, expand renewable energy, and promote regional environmental sustainability. Building a dam to reserve water where it is cool means saving water from evaporation. Generating electricity where hydropower potential is greatest means lighting homes and factories across the region. Regulated flow means reduced floods and reliable agriculture in Egypt and Sudan. That is what Ethiopia is building. Cairo’s claim that the GERD poses famine and flood is therefore misleading and provocative. Ethiopia has never sought to harm its neighbors; instead, it remains deeply committed to mutual benefit and regional prosperity. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has repeatedly reaffirmed that Ethiopia seeks cooperation, not confrontation—emphasizing that the dam will ensure a steady and regulated flow of water throughout the year, thereby preventing floods and ensuring water security for all. Prime Minister Abiy conveys message to Egypt that captured Ethiopia’s truth, and its aspiration: "Ethiopia's position is clear. The better option is to continuously milk the cow by providing it with sufficient feed, not by attempting to deny the cow feed and still expect the milk! If the cow doesn't eat, it won't give milk. But it is possible to provide the cow with feed and continuously milk it. My desire and the desire of the Ethiopian people is - Ethiopia, Sudan, and Egypt have no less than 300 million people, vast land areas, and a young population. If we work and produce together, we would be sufficient for the whole of Africa.” Beyond regional benefits, the GERD stands as a symbol of hope for over half of Ethiopia’s population — millions who still live in darkness without access to electricity. The dam, entirely financed by Ethiopian citizens through purchasing bonds and public contributions, reflects a national spirit of self-reliance and unity. It embodies the Ethiopian people’s aspiration for sustainable development, industrial growth, and poverty reduction. Prime Minister Abiy underlined that the Nile River Basin states has enough resources-- the gold, the water, and the land. The better path is to work together. If this doesn't happen, we will just envy each other! Ethiopia wants to grow and develop through agreement, negotiation, and mutual understanding with all Nile riparian states. For several decades Egypt tried to impose its will on Ethiopia, No one on earth will impose their will upon Ethiopia while Ethiopians stand. Ethiopia will grow peacefully yet confidently, determined to ensure its people prosper without harming its neighbors. Egypt lobbied global financial institutions to deny Ethiopia’s right to secure loans and finance hydro power and irrigation dams. This is what Egypt is conspiring in the Horn of Africa to date including creating havoc and instability. Ethiopia has endured, but never surrendered. Ethiopia has declared that its destiny would no longer be dictated by Egypt. The GERD became a symbol of African self-reliance. When international financing was blocked, Ethiopians opened their wallets and funded their dream by themselves. The dam is now producing light to millions of homes. It is regulating floods during rainfall season. Egypt’s claim that the GERD threatens its water supply is misleading provocative. GERD stands as a beacon of regional integration and shared prosperity, reflecting Ethiopia’s unwavering commitment to mutual benefit among its neighbors. All told, GERD demonstrated Ethiopians and their governments’ resilience and endurance for self-reliance. It was purely funded by the Ethiopian government and people. No partners, no donors, no grants from the outside world. It’s fully functional and ready to help other African states. This is a great pride for Africa. It inspires African nations to follow suit and achive prosperity through their own resources. Africa needs to focus on what it can do for itself, not what others can do for it.Ethiopia’s decision to build such a magnificent dam using its own resources is a bold and inspiring move. It will serve multiple sectors and strengthen communities across the region.

By Molla Mitiku Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed leveraged his engagements in South Africa to advance Ethiopia’s strategic interests, deepen key alliances, and elevate the country’s influence on continental and global platforms. PM Abiy’s latest diplomatic mission on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg signaled a renewed assertiveness in Ethiopia’s foreign policy. Held on the sidelines of high-level gatherings, the Prime Minister’s meetings with African, European, and international leaders reflected a deliberate effort to place Ethiopia at the center of discussions on development, climate action, and global governance. The meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa set the tone for the visit, with both leaders underscoring the need for stronger African agency in global affairs. The Prime Minister characterized their conversation as a call for a “common African voice,” reinforcing Ethiopia’s long-standing belief that continental challenges are most effectively addressed through unified positions. This sentiment resonates at a time when Africa seeks a more influential role in shaping global economic and political processes. Prime Minister Abiy also held extensive talks with key European partners. His discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz focused on expanding cooperation in investment, technology, and development support. A separate meeting with European Council President António Costa highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening the partnership between Ethiopia and the European Union, particularly in the areas of stability and economic transformation. Together, these engagements signal Ethiopia’s intention to broaden its diplomatic horizons and diversify its external relationships. The Prime Minister’s meeting with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer further emphasized the importance of reinforcing long-standing bilateral ties. “Met with Sir Keir Starmer, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, for exchanges on the need to take forward the strong and longstanding bilateral relations between our two countries,” PM Abiy noted on social media. In addition, the Prime Minister held strategic bilateral discussions with leaders from India, Vietnam, South Korea, and Australia on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, describing the engagements as highly productive. “A productive and substantive day at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, with additional engagements with fellow leaders from India, Vietnam, South Korea, and Australia as well,” he stated. Climate diplomacy was a central theme throughout the visit. In a meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister Abiy reiterated Ethiopia’s commitment to climate cooperation and called for increased investment in sustainable sectors. Their discussion focused on “climate cooperation, multilateral priorities, and new investment opportunities,” reflecting Ethiopia’s ambition to position itself as a continental leader in environmental stewardship and green development. Debt relief, energy transition, and climate resilience were also key priorities raised by the Prime Minister. Ethiopia remains among the African nations advocating for fairer global financial rules, and PM Abiy reaffirmed that meaningful debt restructuring is essential for countries seeking to stabilize their economies while pursuing long-term development. His emphasis on renewable energy aligns with Ethiopia’s broader vision of becoming a regional power generator. The Johannesburg engagements also carried significant regional implications. Ethiopia’s active participation in consultations among African leaders demonstrated its commitment to shaping continental priorities. Through these platforms, the Prime Minister continued to advocate for coordinated African positions on issues such as resource mobilization, energy security, and climate adaptation, areas where unified continental action can substantially enhance Africa’s global influence. Overall, the engagements in South Africa showcased Ethiopia’s confident diplomatic posture. The country presented itself as ready to contribute meaningfully to continental strategies and global agendas. The Prime Minister’s meetings with leaders from Africa, Europe, and beyond demonstrated a multilayered diplomatic approach rooted in economic cooperation, climate leadership, and multilateral engagement. Ethiopia’s heightened diplomatic visibility reflects a broader ambition: to secure its development interests, reaffirm its regional leadership role, and participate more assertively in international decision-making.