By Yohannes Fentahun
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) stands as a monumental testament to Ethiopia's ambition and resilience. As one of Africa's largest infrastructure projects, the GERD promises to significantly boost Ethiopia’s energy capacity, contribute to economic development, and enhance regional cooperation.
A critical yet often underappreciated element in the realization of this project has been the Ethiopian Diaspora. The financial contributions from the Diaspora not only helped bridge funding gaps but also demonstrated a collective commitment to the nation's development.
Approached by EBC world Ephraim Zewdu a Diaspora residing in Brussels, Belgium who facilitates activities of the Diaspora community recalled how enthusiastically Ethiopians living abroad defended the national interest of their country.
‘The Diaspora has stood united in defending Ethiopia’s rights to use its resources in its boundary and in support the Grand Renaissance Dam. The Diaspora has been supporting financially, diplomatically and in terms of the negative propaganda.’
Beyond financial support, the Ethiopian Diaspora has been a powerful advocate for the GERD on the international stage. The communities have engaged in diplomatic efforts to garner support and mitigate opposition, particularly from downstream nations like Egypt and Sudan, which have expressed concerns over water rights and resource management. For Ephraim the Diaspora should support Ethiopia beyond ad hock bases
‘We have been working in ad hock bases whenever there was a pressure we tried to defend and explaining the facts based on factual information but that has to be institutionalized.’
As Ethiopia has an abundant energy potential Ephraim underscored the need to achieve energy security for sustainable development.
The ongoing support and involvement of the Diaspora will undoubtedly remain vital and will continue as Ethiopia continues to navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by the GERD Ephraim Added.