GERD Hailed as 'Ray of Hope' at Massive Addis Ababa Celebration

Addis Ababa, September 14, 2025 (ENA) – Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie hailed the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as a "ray of hope" for the nation's future, calling it a "solid foundation" for its people.

Residents of Addis Ababa staged a massive public demonstration at Meskel Square to celebrate the historic completion of the GERD.

The event was marked by vibrant expressions of joy, as citizens from all sub-cities gathered to sing, chant, and carry messages of pride and solidarity.

 

The grand rally was attended by President Taye Atsekeselas, Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh, Chief of General Staff of the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF), Field Marshal Birhanu Jula, Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abiebie, along with other senior government officials and dignitaries.

Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Adanech underscored that the GERD stands not only as an engineering achievement but also as a foundation of national unity and a lasting symbol of Ethiopia’s determination.

She congratulated the people of Ethiopia for their role in the successful completion of the project, describing it as “a milestone written in one voice that will never be forgotten.”

 

The mayor expressed profound gratitude to Ethiopians who sacrificed their knowledge, sweat, blood, and lives on Mount Guba to make the dam a reality, affirming that such sacrifices deserve the highest honor.

The project’s success was made possible because Ethiopians remained united in the face of conspiracies, hostile campaigns, and covert pressures from both internal and external adversaries, she stressed.

Mayor Adanech further highlighted the decisive leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed over the past seven years, which she said was instrumental in steering the project to completion.

She also praised Ethiopia’s security institutions for the heavy price they paid in defending the dam against immense external pressure and threats.

 

Recalling the international dimension, she noted that the United Nations Security Council held more than 13 sessions on the GERD in an unprecedented effort to exert pressure on Ethiopia.

However, she added, Ethiopia’s determined diplomatic stance successfully countered these challenges, and she extended her gratitude to the country’s diplomats for their pivotal role in safeguarding the national interests.

In her address, Mayor Adanech also acknowledged the indispensable contributions of media organizations, social media activists, and Ethiopians both at home and in the diaspora.

Their firm support, she emphasized, was a decisive factor in countering disinformation and mobilizing global awareness of the dam’s importance.

 

“Ethiopians have once again proven that by working together, nothing is beyond our reach. No external pressure can derail us from our goals,” the mayor declared.

The mayor concluded by affirming that the GERD is not only an eternal monument to Ethiopia’s resilience but also a symbol of invincibility that has reshaped the geopolitics of the region.

The GERD was officially inaugurated by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, in the presence of African and international leaders.

Distinguished guests included Kenyan President William Ruto, Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh, Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir, and several leaders from other African and Caribbean nations, underscoring the dam’s continental and global significance.