Ethiopia: Abay Resources Development Needs No Permission

• Ethiopia's Water and Energy Minister, Habtamu Itefa, asserts the nation's sovereign right to develop its water resources, including the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), without requiring external permission.
• The GERD was constructed solely for hydropower generation, supplying electricity to regional neighbors like Djibouti, Kenya, and Sudan, with further demand from Somalia and South Sudan.
• Ethiopia firmly rejects any calls for joint management of the GERD and plans to build additional dams on other river basins as needed.
• Minister Itefa highlighted Ethiopia's proactive role in fostering Nile Basin cooperation, citing initiatives like the Nile Basin Initiative and the Cooperative Framework Agreement.
• Despite possessing over 230,000 hectares of irrigable land, Ethiopia has refrained from developing it, demonstrating consideration for downstream countries, and water from the GERD continues to flow downstream after power generation.

Ethiopia maintains that as a sovereign nation, it requires no external authorization to develop its water resources, a principle exemplified by the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its plans for future projects.

Water and Energy Minister Habtamu Itefa recently affirmed Ethiopia's unequivocal right to develop its water resources without seeking external permission, underscoring the nation's sovereign status. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Pulse of Africa, Minister Itefa challenged the notion that Ethiopia would require approval from any entity, citing the successful construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) as clear evidence of this principle. He further stated that Ethiopia intends to build additional dams on other river basins as future needs dictate, reinforcing its commitment to managing its natural assets independently.

The Minister categorically rejected any proposals for joint management of the GERD, asserting that such arrangements, which would grant other countries control over the dam or necessitate permission for future construction, are unacceptable. He emphatically stated that it is "impossible and unacceptable" for any external entity to demand shared oversight of a dam built by Ethiopians. Ethiopia maintains that as a sovereign nation, it requires no external authorization to develop its water resources, a principle exemplified by the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and its plans for future projects.

The primary objective behind the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, as clarified by Minister Habtamu Itefa, is solely for electricity generation. The GERD is already contributing significantly to regional hydropower supply, fulfilling Ethiopia's intention to provide its citizens with electricity and export energy to benefit neighboring countries. Currently, Ethiopia is a power supplier to Djibouti, Kenya, and Sudan, demonstrating its commitment to regional energy security.

Beyond existing commitments, there is substantial and growing demand for Ethiopian hydropower from other nations. Minister Itefa noted that Kenya is requesting more electricity than Ethiopia can currently provide, while Somalia also presents a significant demand, though connectivity infrastructure is still under development. Efforts are underway to establish this connection for Somalia, and South Sudan has also expressed a need for power, further illustrating the regional impact and importance of Ethiopia's water resource development, particularly concerning Ethiopia's Nile water rights.

Minister Habtamu Itefa also defended Ethiopia's proactive approach to cooperation within the Nile Basin, highlighting its leadership in fostering shared use of the river. He cited the Nile Basin Initiative and the Cooperative Framework Agreement as prime examples of Ethiopia's commitment to collaborative efforts. Unlike many transboundary river basins where downstream nations typically spearhead cooperation, Ethiopia has taken the initiative to unite Nile Basin countries, actively working to lead efforts for collective engagement and shared benefit.

Further demonstrating its consideration for downstream nations, Ethiopia has deliberately refrained from developing a significant portion of its potentially irrigable land. Minister Itefa revealed that the country possesses over 230,000 hectares of land suitable for irrigation but has chosen not to utilize it, acknowledging the water demands from downstream areas. He also confirmed that water released from the GERD continues its flow to downstream countries even after being utilized for electricity generation, underscoring that the development of Abay resources does not impede downstream water access. This stance is crucial for understanding Ethiopia's perspective on transboundary water law and its role in Nile Basin cooperation Ethiopia.

This statement clarifies Ethiopia's unwavering legal and policy stance on its sovereign right to develop its water resources, including the GERD and future dams, without external permission. Lawyers advising on regional infrastructure, energy, or international investment projects must account for this firm position, which may impact negotiations or dispute resolution concerning transboundary water use.

Source: Reporting based on an exclusive interview via Pulse of Africa.