Ethiopia will build more than 100 dams

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that Addis Ababa intends to build more than 100 small and medium-sized dams in different regions of the country.

Abiy Ahmed indicated that more than 100 small and medium-sized dams are scheduled to be built in an effort to boost agricultural production and ensure the country is food secure.

Abiy said that this is “the only way to resist any forces opposing Ethiopia.”

The PM stressed the need to achieve the announced plan, noting that all the spectrums of Ethiopian society must join forces to achieve these aspirations and other development programmes.

“Ethiopia will transform and prosperity will emerge in the coming years,” he stressed, adding that “unity is crucial.”

Ethiopia is building a $5 billion dam near the border with Sudan it says will provide the country with much-needed electricity and economic regeneration. Egypt believes it will restrict its access to Nile waters.

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Egypt is almost entirely dependent on Nile water, receiving around 55.5 million cubic metres a year from the river, and believes that filling the dam will affect the water it needs for drinking, agriculture and electricity.

Cairo wants Ethiopia to guarantee Egypt will receive 40 billion cubic metres or more of water from the Nile. Ethiopian Irrigation Minister Seleshi Bekele said Egypt has abandoned this demand, but Egypt insists it hasn’t and issued a statement to this effect.

There is also an unresolved issue over how fast the dam will be filled, with Egypt fearing if it is filled too quickly, it could affect the electricity generated by the Aswan High Dam.

Ethiopia renews commitment to AU mediation in dam talks – Cartoon [Sabaaneh/MiddleEastMonitor]