Western Entities Urged to Stop Sabotaging Rights of over 110 Million Ethiopians

May 19 /2021 (ENA)   Some Western entities and their regional allies have to reconsider their recent positions regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam as they are acting against the rights and interests of more than 110 million Ethiopians, politicians and experts said.

EZEMA Chairman, Yeshiwas Assefa told ENA that there will not be any difference among political parties with regard to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) or Abay River since this is not about one dam or utilizing it for irrigation or electricity. “It is rather about sovereignty."

“Political parties should focus on how to join hands and stop external interferences to defend the national interest of the country. We have no differences on GERD,” he added.

Addis Ababa University lecturer, Yonas Zewde said “the dam is being built by the people and for the people. And people are always the winner.”

According to him, it is wrong to take the issue of GERD as a concern of the government or a single party alone. “When we talk about the GERD, we are talking about the people of Ethiopia at large,” he noted.

Citing that the dam is constructed by Ethiopians across the nation and beyond, the lecturer said Ethiopians from all walks of life are contributing for the dam.  

So, all who disregard the strong commitment of Ethiopians in this regard “have to reconsider their decisions and actions against Ethiopia, including all the interferences on negotiations and other matters regarding GERD or other issues.”

Ustaz Abubeker Ahmed stated that it is time to send a strong message towards those entities which are undermining the sovereignty and interest of the nation and all Ethiopians since the owner of the dam is the general public.

He noted that “the general public should send a strong message for the global community by denouncing the meddling of some actors on internal affairs before the second round filling of the dam.”

“If we do this both domestically and abroad in a collaborative and organized manner, we can effectively tackle all the challenges hurled against Ethiopia intentionally, and resist all the pressures.”

Senior politician Andargachew Tsigie said telling those entities from the West or in the region that are against the people of Ethiopia will help them to understand that their long-term interest will be endangered if they don’t correct their mistakes.  

He underscored that “the West believe that they are acting against some elites or parties, but they are totally wrong. They have to know that they are against over 110 million Ethiopians. So, when they understand the reality on the ground, they will stop releasing undermining statements against Ethiopia.”