Ethiopian official denies Trump claim on Gerd funding

Ethiopia affirms that its megadam, Gerd, is fully self-funded despite Trump's allegations.

Ethiopian official counters Trump on Gerd funding claims

Fikrte Tamir, deputy director of the Gerd Coordination Office, firmly rejected Donald Trump's assertion that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd) was financed by the United States. In a statement, she asserted that the construction was completed "without any foreign aid." Gerd has been a point of contention for downstream countries Egypt and Sudan, raising fears of water shortages due to the dam's operation. The project has drawn significant public investment within Ethiopia, indicating strong national pride and commitment, even amid rising tensions with its neighbors. The dam began electricity generation in 2022 and reached completion this month. Notably, the Ethiopian government has refrained from publicly addressing Trump's remarks directly.

Trump's comments on the Gerd funding reflect a broader geopolitical struggle over the Nile's resources. Ethiopia views the dam as crucial for its development and energy needs, especially since about 60% of its population lacks electricity. However, as Ethiopia pushes forward, it faces the challenge of maintaining relations with Egypt and Sudan, who are wary of the dam's impact on their water supply. If Ethiopia continues to ignore escalating tensions, it risks not only diplomatic fallout but also potential conflict over the Nile's resources, which have historically been a point of contention.

Highlights

The future of the Gerd will likely depend on careful diplomacy among Nile Basin countries.