No Force Could Stop Nile Dam Project”, Says Ethiopia

As tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia rise over a new dam on the Blue Nile, Addis Ababa on Sunday stressed that no force could stop the construction of its massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) being built just 30 kilometers from the border with Sudan.

Concerns have swelled in Egypt after Ethiopia diverted the course of the Nile River last week in a bid to complete the project which is 21% completed. In a closed door meeting held on Monday, Egyptian politicians from different political parties suggested to President Mohamed Mursi a number of sabotage proposals including military attacks as a means to stop the dam’s construction. They also suggested Among others, backing Ethiopian rebels as a means to destroy the 4.8 billion dollar project, using Egypt’s intelligence service to destroy the dam as well as spreading rumors that could scare Ethiopia from continuing the project were sabotage plans proposed by Egyptian Politicians. Following the Egyptian high profile meeting – which Egypt’s State TV accidently aired live – tensions between Cairo and Addis Ababa have further escalated.As tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia rise over a new dam on the Blue Nile, Addis Ababa on Sunday stressed that no force could stop the construction of its massive Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) being built just 30 kilometers from the border with Sudan. In an interview with Sudan Tribune a senior government official on Sunday stated Ethiopia’s firm position over the Nile Dam saying the horn of Africa’s nation won’t negotiate over what he referred it was a “regional project”. “There is no internal or external force that could stop the dam project” Ethiopia’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Ambassador Dina Mufti, told Sudan Tribune.