In a recent statement, an Ethiopian official firmly rejected former President Donald Trump's assertion that US money was used to fund the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, emphasizing that the project is entirely funded by Ethiopia itself.
Ethiopian Official Refutes Trump's Claims on US Funding for Nile Dam
Ethiopian Official Refutes Trump's Claims on US Funding for Nile Dam
A senior Ethiopian official disputes former President Donald Trump's allegations regarding US financial support for Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), calling them misleading and harmful.
Ethiopia's Deputy Director of the Gerd Coordination Office, Fikrte Tamir, categorically denied Trump’s claims made during a public event last week, where he stated that the controversial dam had been financed largely with US funds. "We built this dam without any foreign aid," she asserted, pointing to the collective contributions from the Ethiopian populace and government resources over its 14-year construction timeline.
The GERD, Africa's largest hydro-electric plant, began generating electricity in 2022 and concluded its construction earlier this month. Despite its significance to Ethiopia, concerns have been raised by downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, which worry about the dam's potential to diminish their water supply from the Nile River.
Trump’s remarks, which echo previous statements blaming the United States' financial involvement in the dam’s construction, have reignited tensions. In a post on his social media platform last month, he maintained that the dam was "stupidly financed" by the US and complained about its impact on Egypt's water access.
Ethiopian authorities have routinely highlighted national pride in the project, asserting it is essential for generating much-needed electricity for their population, around 60% of whom currently lack access. The government has engaged the public in funding efforts, managing to raise over 1.7 billion birr ($12.3 million) in the last year alone, despite the dam’s construction going over-budget and beyond schedule.
Fikrte emphasized the need for careful diplomatic engagement in response to Trump's comments, and many Ethiopians are raising questions about the Gerd Coordination Office's role in international negotiations. As discussions about the dam's implications continue, the Ethiopian government's silence on Trump’s recent claims has drawn scrutiny from various fronts.
The GERD, Africa's largest hydro-electric plant, began generating electricity in 2022 and concluded its construction earlier this month. Despite its significance to Ethiopia, concerns have been raised by downstream nations, particularly Egypt and Sudan, which worry about the dam's potential to diminish their water supply from the Nile River.
Trump’s remarks, which echo previous statements blaming the United States' financial involvement in the dam’s construction, have reignited tensions. In a post on his social media platform last month, he maintained that the dam was "stupidly financed" by the US and complained about its impact on Egypt's water access.
Ethiopian authorities have routinely highlighted national pride in the project, asserting it is essential for generating much-needed electricity for their population, around 60% of whom currently lack access. The government has engaged the public in funding efforts, managing to raise over 1.7 billion birr ($12.3 million) in the last year alone, despite the dam’s construction going over-budget and beyond schedule.
Fikrte emphasized the need for careful diplomatic engagement in response to Trump's comments, and many Ethiopians are raising questions about the Gerd Coordination Office's role in international negotiations. As discussions about the dam's implications continue, the Ethiopian government's silence on Trump’s recent claims has drawn scrutiny from various fronts.
