10th September 2025 (16 Topics)
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Ethiopia’s GERD Inauguration
Context:
Ethiopia inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Africa’s largest hydroelectric project, sparking protests from downstream nation Egypt over water security concerns.
Project Overview
- Name: Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
- Location: Blue Nile near Sudanese border, Ethiopia
- Dimensions: 170 m tall, 1.9–2 km long
- Cost & Capacity: $4 billion; 5,150 MW electricity; 74 billion cubic metres water storage
- Construction: Began in 2011; inaugurated 2025
Significance for Ethiopia
- Hydropower: Largest electricity-generating dam in Africa; potential to transform Ethiopia into a regional power hub
- National Pride: Seen as a unifying symbol amid internal conflicts
- Regional Influence: Strengthens Ethiopia’s strategic leverage in the Nile Basin
Downstream Concerns (Egypt & Sudan)
- Egypt: Relies on Nile for ~97% of freshwater; calls GERD an “existential threat”
- Legal Claim: Protested to UN Security Council citing violation of international law
- Water Security: Fear of reduced water flow affecting agriculture, industry, and population
Geopolitical Context
- Nile River Dispute: Long-standing tensions among Nile Basin countries (Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia) over water rights
- Regional Diplomacy: GERD influences Ethiopia-Sudan-Egypt relations; international mediation has often been attempted
Environmental & Developmental Aspects
- Renewable Energy: Hydropower reduces dependence on fossil fuels
- Economic Growth: Supports industrialization and energy exports
- Environmental Concerns: Potential impacts on downstream ecosystems and agriculture
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NILE RIVER
Major Branches
Hydrological & Geopolitical Significance
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