Ethiopian Unity Key to Resist External Interference: GERD Public Coordination Director-General

March 20/2021(ENA) Strengthening the unity of Ethiopians is critical to stop the meddling of external forces in the affairs of the country and fully exploit resources, GERD Public Coordination Director-General Aregawi Berhe said.

In an exclusive interview with ENA, he said the recent pressures on Ethiopia emanate from the long-term diplomatic influence of Egypt.

“Even if  the Egyptians don’t contribute a single drop of water for the Nile River, they have been dominating the diplomatic corner for years while we who own the resource languish in poverty,” Aregawi noted.

It is time therefor to reverse such trends, the director-general stressed, adding that “the key is in our hands. We have to be united. The Victory of Adwa is a simple showcase for what Ethiopians can do when united.”

He pointed out that if all Ethiopians both at home and abroad stand in unity, the false  narrations given by Egypt on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam to some international institutions could be corrected.

“The key is our cooperation, unity and strategic diplomacy. To be honest, we haven’t been exerting the maximum efforts on the diplomatic front,” Aregawi underscored.

A researcher at Institute of Technology of Addis Ababa University, Professor Daniel Kitaw said on his part that Egypt had worked hard and succeeded in blocking various financial supports from international institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

As Ethiopians across the nation are committed to realize the mega project, nonetheless, they raised millions and built the dam. This is a matter of choosing development or staying in poverty, the professor stressed.

Realizing the GERD is beyond generating power, Professor Daniel stated, adding that it is a symbol of capability to overcome poverty.

According to him, the pressure of the western countries on Ethiopia comes from one sided diplomatic influence from Egypt.  

“This is another face of war. It is a war against poverty. We have to focus on how to defend those elements based on our agenda. Not only focus on defending, but we have to come to the  front. We have to come to the fore and show the facts on the ground,” he pointed out.

Citing that Egypt has been working to weaken the central government of Ethiopia since ancient times, the professor observed that Ethiopians should note that realizing GERD is a matter of survival and a matter of eradicating poverty.

He underscored that “as Ethiopians we have one option to realize our ambitions and that option is strengthening unity. Other political or any differences are natural but showing unity on matters of the nation's sovereignty is critical.”