Ethiopia and Egypt on “war of words”

ESAT News   June 12, 2013 

Following Ethiopia’s declaration that it has successfully “diverted the Abay River”, the bicker between Ethiopia and Egypt has intensified.  Video clips showing the discussion of Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi with opposition political parties was transmitted live when some opposition leaders suggested Egypt should back rebels in Ethiopia or attack the Dam that Ethiopia is building on the River.

Morsi two days ago, then, warned Ethiopia saying “all options are open” if the Ethiopian project to build a dam on the Blue Nile diminishes a drop of Egypt’s water share.

Although Ethiopia has been consistently stating that the water will continue to flow in the same direction upon the building of the Dam and will have no effect on Egypt’s share, Morsi said “Egypt’s water security shouldn’t be compromised”.

“If Egypt is ‘the gift of the Nile,’ then the Nile is God’s gift to Egypt,”  Morsi said. “We will defend each drop of Nile water with our blood if necessary,” he warned.

The Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on its part that Ethiopia will not stop even for a second the construction of the Dam alarmed by Egypt’s rhetoric. “Ethiopia was deeply frustrated to see further unconstructive propaganda aired about the GERD in the presence of the President, Mohamed Morsi, the Prime Minister, Hisham Qandil, and other high ranking Egyptian officials at the Popular Conference on Egypt’s Rights to Nile Water.” The Ministry said.

The statement added that proposed suggestions of any resort to war or other forms of sabotage are unacceptable and have no place in the 21^st century. In this context, Ethiopia would like to make it clear that it expects the Government of Egypt to refrain from all such unacceptable forms of behavior or engagement and work towards greater cooperation between the two countries.

Political analysts, who are following the situation closely, say both countries are using the Dam issue and the “war of words” to divert the attention of local opposition from their internal political and economic crises.