Published 13:57 IST, October 25th 2020
Ethiopia slams Trump's Dam remark, says 'will not tolerate aggression'; summons envoy
"They will end up blowing up the dam," US President Donald Trump said, referring to Ethiopia, adding, “I say it loud and clear, they'll blow up that dam."
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Ethiopia condemned US President Donald Trump’s comments that country could “blow up” Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) that strdles Blue Nile, as it accused United States President of ‘inciting war’. Trump was speaking with respect to national security of two countries downstream reservoir, Egypt, and Sudan, while he was brokering normalizing of Sudan’s ties with Israel on Friday. "y will end up blowing up dam," Trump said, referring to Ethiopia, ding, “I said it and I say it loud and clear, y'll blow up that dam. And y have to do something,” as he dressed US press.
dis Ababa issued a statement on October 24, asking US president to “clarify” his remarks, explaining that GERD is, in fact, an affirmation of “Ethiopia’s commitment for equitable and reasonable utilization of Abbay River.” Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's office issued a statement, saying, that east African nation would not tolerate "aggressions of any kind.” In a furr escalation on matter, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew summoned US Ambassor Mike Raynor for an explanation of US President’s “irresponsible” comments and “belligerent threats”, according to a statement from ministry.
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“se threats and affronts to Ethiopian sovereignty are misguided, unproductive, and clear violations of international law,” Ethiopia warned, without naming US in official statement.
It ded, ”As a developing nation, Ethiopia may be confronted with poverty but are rich with history, patriotic citizens whose commitment to defend ir country's sovereignty is unparalleled and ambition and a well-articulated plan for prosperity.”
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Meanwhile, Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegn said in a tweet that President of United States launched a “reckless” statement to Sudanese PM having “no clue” what he is talking about. " incitement of war between Ethiopia and Egypt from a sitting U.S. president neir reflects longstanding partnership and strategic alliance between Ethiopia and United States nor is acceptable in international law governing interstate relations,” a statement issued by Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Minister Gedu Andargachew re. Trump’s comments were me in backdrop of US cutting aids to Ethiopia after news of it “filling reservoir” behind dam in July circulated.
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Dispute around Dam
$4bn structure being constructed by Ethiopia on Blue Nile is Africa's largest hydro-electric project, however, Ethiopia’s filling of reservoir has severely impacted Sudan and Egypt. Even as Sudan lies on farr end downstream than Cairo, dam is expected to cause acute water shortages for both countries. While US earlier held negotiations with three countries, it leans with Egypt and Sudan in dispute. Meanwhile, Ethiopia calls GERD construction “essential” for its economic development.
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[Map of Nile Basin with major infrastructure and three countries' strategic location around dam construction. Credit: Nature Journal]
Cause of controversy
US President Donald Trump, on a telephonic conversation with Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu at White House, me controversial remark, asserting, Ethiopia was “going to blow up dam”, in an unsubstantiated claim. He was in front of reporters and diplomatic event of normalising bilateral relations between Sudan and Israel was being live-streamed across multiple TV stations. “It's a very dangerous situation because Egypt is not going to be able to live that way,” Trump said, in context to Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok’s remark that three countries look for “peaceful resolution” to conflict. “ y'll blow up that dam,” US President asserted in a remark even as negotiations have been ongoing with African Union began mediation for a solution. PM Abiy Ahmed is yet to respond on Trump's comments.
13:57 IST, October 25th 2020