
Radar | Jun 08,2019
Sep 16 , 2023
By Hintsa Andebrhan
The evolving geopolitics of the Nile River Basin, a region with a rich history steeped in cooperation and contention, mirrors Ethiopia's fluid and dynamic history. A tale that began in the Imperial era and continued during the military-Marxist regime - under the stern rule of Mengistu Haile Mariam (Col.) - witnesses a critical juncture today as the country spearheads the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), a colossal hydroelectric project by any measure.
The ember of nationalism heightened during the Derg within the confines of primary schools, encouraging children to harbour dreams for the untapped potential of the Nile. Although marred by endless conflicts, Mengistu's rule displayed an earnest commitment to uplifting the Ethiopian populace, leveraging the resources of the Nile Basin. An ambition, once nurtured in the classrooms of Qeyi'Amba Primary School in Asmara in the mid-1980s is now reverberating on the international stage.
Transitioning into the era of the EPRDF, Ethiopia faced a delicate balance between nurturing multicultural federalism and advancing robust diplomacy for developing the Nile Basin. Despite their divisive domestic approach, the Revolutionary Democrats' pivotal role in launching the Nile Basin Cooperation Initiative cannot be understated. Launched in the late 1990s, this initiative aimed to encourage a harmonious relationship among Nile Basin countries, encouraging equitable resource utilisation, and replacing the outdated agreement signed in 1959, exclusively between Egypt and Sudan.
Yet, a leadership shift and the EPRDF dissolution signalled a turn in Ethiopia's diplomatic trajectory, ushering in the Administration of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). The Administration's critics blame it for diverting from promoting alliances within the Nile Basin Cooperation framework to a strategy perceived as more accommodating to external influences, particularly the United States (US) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Abiy administration sought mediation from the US and the UAE, respectively. Critics view this as a precarious departure from the solidarity with Nile basin countries, potentially diluting Ethiopia’s bargaining power and inviting undue influence from powers with no stake in the Nile's hydro-politics. Its diplomatic approach seems to teeter on a precarious edge, as experts and diplomats from Ethiopia grapple with mounting pressures.
A recent remark by the Foreign Affairs Spokesperson, Meles Alem, indicates a wider communications gap. He noted, "If justice had been served, Egypt and Sudan should have shared the costs of building the Renaissance Dam." This statement, however, has stirred a storm of speculation and concern within Ethiopia, offering an interpretation that Ethiopia is inviting Egypt and Sudan to acquire stakes in the GERD project.
As the GERD project stands not as a reminder of aid or debt but illustrating Ethiopia's determination, the incumbent Administration's communications strategy demands urgent redress. The necessity here is appointing a communications expert specialising in transboundary river issues to finesse the narrative and fortify Ethiopia's global position.
In this complex geopolitics, Egypt, with the Arab League on its side, appears to be orchestrating a concerted diplomatic campaign, capitalising on perceived fissures within the Ethiopian government's approach. As the UAE assumes a mediating role, there should be caution that this might be an advantageous concession to Cairo, further complicating the intricacies of Nile Basin negotiations. It is incumbent upon the Abiy Administration to realign its diplomatic compass, reinstating Ethiopia's crucial role within the Nile Basin Cooperation Initiative.
The Administration’s foresight and solidarity with the Nile Basin countries could potentially dictate the narrative of regional cooperation or discord.
PUBLISHED ON
Sep 16,2023 [ VOL
24 , NO
1220]
Radar | Jun 08,2019
Radar | Aug 31,2019
Radar | Aug 16,2020
My Opinion | Oct 10,2020
Fortune News | Aug 22,2020
Radar | May 28,2022
Radar | Aug 08,2020
Sunday with Eden | Mar 20,2021
Exclusive Interviews | Oct 09,2021
My Opinion | 133710 Views | Aug 14,2021
Photo Gallery | 132377 Views | May 06,2019
My Opinion | 130245 Views | Aug 21,2021
My Opinion | 128026 Views | Sep 10,2021
Dec 22 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Charged with transforming colossal state-owned enterprises into modern and competitiv...
Aug 18 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Although predictable Yonas Zerihun's job in the ride-hailing service is not immune to...
Jul 28 , 2024 . By TIZITA SHEWAFERAW
Unhabitual, perhaps too many, Samuel Gebreyohannes, 38, used to occasionally enjoy a couple of beers at breakfast. However, he recently swit...
Jul 13 , 2024 . By AKSAH ITALO
Investors who rely on tractors, trucks, and field vehicles for commuting, transporting commodities, and f...
Aug 16 , 2025
A decade ago, a case in the United States (US) jolted Wall Street. An ambulance opera...
Aug 9 , 2025
In the 14th Century, the Egyptian scholar Ibn Khaldun drew a neat curve in the sand....
Aug 2 , 2025
At daybreak on Thursday last week, July 31, 2025, hundreds of thousands of Ethiop...
Jul 26 , 2025
Teaching hospitals everywhere juggle three jobs at once: teaching, curing, and discov...
Aug 17 , 2025 . By YITBAREK GETACHEW
The federal government, led by the Ministry of Agriculture, is finalising a sweeping...
Aug 17 , 2025 . By RUTH BERHANU
More than 120,000 government employees in Addis Abeba are racing to collect coding ce...
Aug 17 , 2025 . By BEZAWIT HULUAGER
Two new insurance companies, Standard Insurance and Was Insurance, are poised to join...
Aug 17 , 2025 . By NAHOM AYELE
Siinqee Bank is set launch an investment banking subsidiary with a registered capital...