No to war over Nile/Abay/Abbayya

Upper Nile Basin. Source: Nile Basin Initiative, 2011

June 6, 2013 (Gulele Post) — Meles led Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) waged war against Eritrea over a piece of land that was eventually granted to Eritrea. Close to a hundred thousand people were killed but it benefitted TPLF because it helped them extend their power after ‘winning’ the war (and some support).

TPLF waged war against Somalia for no other reason than to obtain military and financial support from Bush led USA.

Meles Zenawi was amongst the first leaders to publicly support the Bush – Blair invasion of Iraq, so that they keep silent when he comes up with bogus ‘antiterrorism’ laws to terrorize innocent masses.

Meles/TPLF waged internal war against nations and nationalities they ruled over, the number one target being Oromia, followed by Ogaden, Gambella, Sidama(the Awassa massacre) and recently Amhara for no other reason than to extend their rule by force.

Meles/TPLF’s response was bullets to protests (the Addis Ababa/Finfinne massacre during the 2005 protest, the Asasa and Gerba massacres during the Muslim protest, shooting at elementary and high school students in Oromia … etc) Having witnessed all of these and more in the past two decades, how can anyone support any potential war between TPLF and Egypt (and possibly Sudan and Eritrea)?

The ‘Renaissance’ dam was no doubt Meles’s grand project to fill his big ego (I kind of think that his grooming of Hailemariam Desalegn, an Engineer, as his successor, among other reasons, was perhaps to have someone with interest to focus on this ‘grand’ project). The problem isn’t why he wanted to leave a ‘grand’ legacy for himself but how risky it was and still is for others. The timing of the project, when Egypt was at its weakest, is highly suspicious. He might have also calculated an exit strategy for Tigray, who was spared from all the TPLF inflicted conflicts and internal wars. The losers would be Amhara (the source of Blue Nile), Oromia (source of many of the tributaries) and Benishangul (where the dam is built). He also knew that his opposition would be divided over the issue (a good byproduct for him) and China is there to finance anything ‘grand’ in Africa. What he didn’t calculate was that he would die and Egypt would be stable again.

Currently under an immense political pressure as well as fierce opposition from diaspora over fund raising for the project, TPLF has more to gain from a potential war or tension.  On the other end of the river, besides the undoubted significance of Nile for Egypt, the not so popular Mursi has also something to gain from a potential war – he would get more support and can consolidate power.

But this case is no longer about Meles(and his TPLF) and Mursi(and his Muslim Brotherhood). Any war over Nile has so many repercussions and will endanger millions in East and North East Africa.

That’s why, while I urge the equitable and fair share of the river, I say ‘No’ to war over Nile. Put the arms behind, leave the war mentality at home and go to a table of peaceful negotiation. If they can’t convince Egypt, Sudan and the rest of the world about this project or a reduced version of it, there are alternatives for energy – abundant geothermal, wind and solar energy and many other rivers for hydroelectric power. As for Hailemariam Desalegn, who was left with this ‘grand’ assignment from his former boss, he can have a lot of homework to deal with namely solving the internal crisis – a stop to mass eviction of farmers and premeditated inter-nation conflicts, thousands of political prisoners to release, a huge political space and media to free up as well as inflation and corruption to tackle.  But he has to first convince his mini TPLF bosses to cut their losses, if they have to, and give him other priorities. Failing to accomplish this, TPLF can kiss good bye to any support. ‘Sogidda yo ofii jette mi’aayi yoo didde dhagaadha jedhanii sigatu (iddoo dhuftetti sideebisu)’ jedhu mitiree hayyuun keenya. Chew lerasih sitil taft aleziya dingay bilew (yemetahibet) yitiluhal  [A rough translation of the wise advising salt goes ‘sweeten yourself up otherwise they will throw you back to the rock you came from’]

>ayyaantuu

Ethiopia recalls Egypt Ambassador over 'threats'

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Thu, 06/06/2013 - 13:30

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Egypt Independent

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said it has recalled Egyptian Ambassador Mohamed Idrees for clarifications on "threats" that members of political powers made during a meeting with President Mohamed Morsy on Monday.

Morsy met with members of political parties to discuss the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis.

In a statement, the Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said it has asked the Egyptian ambassador for a “swift official response from the Egyptian government regarding the threats issued during the meeting.”

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry expressed shock at the contributions made during the meeting in which participants suggested alternative courses of action to address the issue if Ethiopia’s dam is deemed threatening to Egypt’s water quota.

Ethiopia, one of the most important upstream countries, last week celebrated the diversion of the course of the Blue Nile, one of the main tributaries of the Nile, in preparation for the construction of the dam which it says will generate electricity and help develop its industry.

Meanwhile, Egyptian experts have expressed concerns that construction of the dam may encroach upon Egypt’s share of Nile waters despite reassurances by Ethiopia to the contrary.

The most controversial contribution during the meeting with Morsy was made by Ayman Nour, chairman of Ghad al-Thawra party, who suggested that Egypt disseminate rumors that it is seeking to purchase advanced aircraft.

He said this is an intelligence technique of intimidation. “It might not be realistic, but it will bring results on the diplomatic path”. Nour said he believes diplomatic efforts will not yield great outcomes: “Ethiopians have made up their minds, and it is highly difficult for them to backtrack”.

Most of the participants called for a diplomatic solution to the crisis while President of the ruling Freedom and Justice Party Mohamed Saad al-Katatny said all options should be open including military.

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry said the meeting Morsy held with political powers came at a time when the Ethiopian government was seeking a solution that would keep all concerned parties satisfied, emphasizing that Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia will all benefit from the construction of the dam.

Regarding the opinions expressed during Morsy’s meeting, the Ethiopian Foreign ministry said that some icons of the Egyptian opposition are exploiting the issue of the dam to  “thrust the Egyptian government into a confrontation with Ethiopia”.

The Ethiopian Foreign Ministry affirmed the strength of Egyptian-Ethiopian relations describing them as “historical and deep-rooted”.

>egyptindependent

Armoured Vehicles Surround Ethiopian Embassy In Cairo

June 5, 2013

Awramba Times – The Ethiopian embassy in Cairo is surrounded by heavily armed personnel and armoured vehicles. Ethiopian citizens, both refugees and Ethiopian-passport holders, are savagely harassed and beaten by ordinary Egyptians and the police everywhere they move.

According to our sources, it is very difficult for Ethiopians to move around and many people are starving as they fear for their life to go out and buy foodstuff and drinking water. Egyptians are preparing a massive demonstration against Ethiopia to be held next Friday.

On the other hand, Ethiopian Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Dirrir met with Egyptian opposition leader and former Secretary General of the Arab League, Amr Moussa in Cairo today. Ambassador Mohamed Drirr has a two hours meeting with Amr Moussa on the recent developments on the Nile and has made clear that Ethiopia has no any intention of harming egypt or affecting its access to the Nile waters.

>ayyaantuu

Islamists slam ElBaradei for apologising to Ethiopia

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Wed, 05/06/2013 - 16:50

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Egypt Independent

The Construction and Development Party, the political arm of Jama’a al-Islamiya, slammed, on Tuesday, reform advocate and National Salvation Front Coordinator Mohamed ElBaradei for apologising to Ethiopia over the national dialogue session which discussed the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis.

On his Twitter account on Tuesday, ElBaradei –also the President of the Dostour Party– called on President Mohamed Morsy to offer similar apologies to Ethiopia and Sudan for “the irresponsible utterances” made during the session held on Monday.

The live broadcast of the meeting held by Morsy and various political figures included sensitive national security issues and suggestions for naval action against Ethiopia.

Khaled al-Sherif, spokesperson of the Construction and Development Party, called on ElBaradei to apologise to Egyptians for refusing to defend Egypt’s water rights and apologising to Ethiopia for being offended during the presidency’s meeting.

“It’s a shame that ElBaradei apologised to Ethiopia for a meeting he escaped from which involved President Mohamed Morsy and political forces mulling over the risks that endanger the country and its national security,” Sherif said in a statement on Tuesday.

“I hope that ElBaradei will raise his country’s interests above his own, come to the discussion table, and contribute to resolving the country’s problems, at the head of which is the national crisis that endangers Egyptian water security,” he added.

>egyptindependent

ElBaradei calls on Morsy to apologize to Ethiopia

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Tue, 04/06/2013 - 13:56

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Al-Masry Al-Youm

Mohamed ElBaradei, National Salvation Front Coordinator, called on President Mohamed Morsy to apologise to Ethiopia and Sudan for “the irresponsible utterances” made during the national dialogue session held on Monday to discuss the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam crisis.

On his Twitter account, ElBaradei –also the President of the Dostour Party– demanded that Morsy offer similar apologies to both countries in the name of Egyptians.

The live broadcast of the national dialogue on Monday sparked criticism by participants in the dialogue, including Ayman Nour –president of Ghad al-Thawra party. He called for holding responsible those who decided to broadcast on air what was supposed to be a closed dialogue session.

Pakinam al-Sharqawy, assistant presidential adviser for political affairs, extended her apologies for "any unintended embarrassment caused to any of the political leaders who attended the national dialogue session to discuss the report submitted by the tripartite committee on the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam."

On her Facebook page, Sharqawy said the decision for the live broadcast of the dialogue session was taken just before the session, due to the significance of the Nile water dossier.

The most controversial contribution during the session was made by Ayman Nour, who suggested that Egypt disseminate rumors that it is seeking advanced aircrafts. He said this is an intelligence technique of intimidation.

“It might not be realistic, but it will bring results on the diplomatic path”, he said. Nour, however, stated he believes diplomatic efforts will not yield great outcomes: “Ethiopians have taken the decision, and it is highly difficult for them to backtrack”.

Chairman of the moderate Islamist Wasat Party, Abul Ela Mady, suggested sending army destroyers to the Bab al-Mandab strait and spreading rumors that Egypt is about to strike the dam.

Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm

>egyptindependent

Journalism and Terrorism in Ethiopia by Aljazeera

>ayyaantuu

In meeting with president, Egyptian politicians counsel attacking Ethiopia over Nile dam

Posted by: bilisummaa June 4, 2013 Leave a comment

CAIRO –  Politicians meeting with Egypt’s president have proposed hostile acts against Ethiopia, including backing rebels and carrying out sabotage, to stop it from building a massive dam over the Nile River.

Some of the politicians attending Monday’s meeting with President Mohammed Morsi appeared unaware it was being carried live on TV. Morsi did not directly react to the suggestions.

Morsi called the meeting to review the impact of Ethiopia’s dam on Egypt’s share of the Nile’s water.

Younis Makhyoun, leader of an ultraconservative Islamist party, said Egypt should back rebels in Ethiopia or, as a last resort, destroy the dam. Liberal politician Ayman Nour proposed spreading rumors about Egypt obtaining advanced warplanes to scare the Ethiopians.

Egypt has in the past threatened to go to war to preserve its water share.

Associated Press

>bilisummaa