Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: A New Era in Energy and Diplomacy

Ethiopia's Prime Minister announced on Thursday the completion of the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on the Nile, a significant development milestone for the country. This marks a pivotal moment as the dam gets ready for its formal inauguration in September.

Egypt has long opposed the dam, citing fears that it would diminish its crucial share of the Nile waters. The waterway is vital for agriculture and sustenance for Egypt's population of over 100 million. Despite this, Ethiopian authorities insist the dam is a necessary step for their development and energy export ambitions, and does not require Egypt's authorization.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reaffirmed Ethiopia's commitment to inaugurate the dam and expressed dedication to regional cooperation with Egypt and Sudan. The dam, initiated in 2011 and starting power production in 2022, aims to generate over 6,000 megawatts of electricity, potentially doubling Ethiopia's energy output.

(With inputs from agencies.)