Trying to Link GERD Negotiations with Border Dispute “Unwise” of Sudan: Water Professsor

March 11/2021(ENA)  The attempt by Sudan to try to somehow link the GERD negotiations with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) negotiations is “unwise and ill-advised,” Professor Assefa M. Melesse of Florida International University said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, Water Resources Engineering Professor Assefa said there is no need to link the GERD negotiations with the current border dispute between Ethiopia and Sudan.

“In principle they should deal clearly and separately between the GERD negotiations and the border conflict or whatever they call it. I think this is not very beneficial. It is actually unwise and ill-advised decision by Sudan to try to somehow link the GERD negotiations with border issue.”

Noting that Sudan has been very supportive of the GERD for a long time, he said “I remember that they said at one point Aswan Dam is for Egypt and GERD for Sudan. In terms of its [GERD] benefits, they stated that this is a Sudanese dam because they will benefit a lot from the dam as they get water during the dry season for irrigation purpose.”

Moreover, GERD will play crucial role in terms of flood reduction, sustaining water flow, developing renewable energy resource, water saving as well as increase in the life of dams in the downstream countries, including Sudan and Egypt, because of the sedimentary reduction, the professor elaborated.

In spite of these benefits and their oft-repeated statements in support of GERD, they have fabricated a ridiculous story.

“After this conflict, they [the Sudanese] have all of a sudden started talking about the endangerment of 20 million Sudanese because of GERD development. This doesn’t make any sense. They cannot change statements and facts. I think they truly need to sit down and talk about the benefits of the dam for the region, the long-term collaborations and integration as they are more important than conflicts that are very dominant nowadays.”

According to him, Ethiopia’s firm position that the GERD issue is an African issue that can be solved by the African Union is appreciable and the three countries should agree to what is the best way to resolve the impasse of filling and operation of the dam.

Professor Assefa said, “I believe that what is very important when it comes to negotiations is to be a genuine partner and ready to solve issues. I think the Ethiopian, Sudanese and Egyptian sides have to be ready to really accept that there has to be equitable and reasonable use of the water.”

He stressed that the genuine problem is the core principle of Sudan and Egypt accepting Ethiopia’s rights to use its water resources. This is very important. I think the Ethiopian side should stick to the principles and keep the negotiations.

The professor underlined that considering the significance the dam, Sudan and Egypt should really somehow encourage and push Ethiopia to build and operate this dam for their benefits.

“Sudan and Egypt should really somehow encourage and push Ethiopia to build and operate this dam for their benefits. So it doesn’t make any sense for Egypt and Sudan to be on the opposite side when it comes to the realization of this dam because there are major benefits from this.”