Ethiopian PM Announces Final Completion of the Fourth Filling of the Controversial GERD Dam

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed declared today that the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) has achieved a historic milestone with the successful completion of its fourth and final filling. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed hailed the achievement as a testament to the collective efforts, dedication, and unwavering spirit of the Ethiopian people.

On his X account, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his joy and gratitude, saying, “It is with great pleasure that I announce the successful completion of the fourth and final filling of the Renaissance Dam. Ethiopians have helped us by working together. Congratulations to all who participated in the work with their money, knowledge, energy, and prayers. This cooperation should be repeated in our other affairs as well.”
The GERD, a massive hydropower project located on the Blue Nile River in Ethiopia, has been a subject of contention and negotiations with Egypt and Sudan for years due to concerns about its potential impact on downstream water resources.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed acknowledged the challenges and pressures faced during the course of the project, both internally and externally.
He noted, “We had many challenges. There was too much pulling for us to turn back. We had an internal challenge with external pressure. We have endured all that came with the Creator and come to this. But we reached the top of the hill, not the end of the hill.”
While celebrating the achievement, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed assured Ethiopia’s commitment to cooperative and inclusive negotiations with Egypt and Sudan to address any concerns and reach a mutually beneficial agreement.
“I believe that we will complete what we have planned in the next period and thank the Creator,” Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed added, expressing confidence in the ongoing development of the dam. “I would like to take this opportunity to pledge that we will continue to support the dam until the end.”
Accompanied by high-level government officials, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed visited the GERD during the fourth and final filling, underscoring the significance of the moment and highlighting the government’s commitment to the project’s success.