Cairo-Addis Ababa dispute over Oromo could derail dam talks
Ethiopia has accused Cairo of supporting anti-government protests by Oromo, which some fear could have negative repercussions on Renaissance Dam negotiations.
CAIRO — At a time when Addis Ababa is facing protests and calls for equality, job opportunities and economic prosperity in the Oromia region — the largest regional state in terms of both area and population — construction at the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam site continues at a quick pace. According to an Oct. 17 statement by Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Debretsion Gebremichael, 54% of the construction at the site is now complete.
The crackdown on protests this year in Oromia has left at least 400 people dead. Residents of the region accuse the government of taking over their land and compensating them at very low prices, before selling the land to foreign investors at extremely high prices. Locals also complain about an absence of jobs.
Addis Ababa accused Cairo of supporting these protests; as a result, Ethiopian Foreign Minister Berhane Gebre-Christos summoned Abu Bakr Hefny, Egypt’s ambassador to Addis Ababa, on Oct. 9 for consultations on the Oromo issue.
According to a press release issued the same day by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry responding to accusations by Addis Ababa, Hefny said that some parties seek to drive a wedge between Egypt and Ethiopia, especially after relations between the two have witnessed noticeable progress. “Egypt will always stand with Ethiopia until ultimate stability in Ethiopia is reached,” Hefny said.
