There’s a heavy Ethiopian army presence near the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), setting off the alarm on tensions rising between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan.
Cairo has consistently rejected every unilateral action undertaken by Addis Ababa before the signing of a comprehensive agreement on filling and operating the GERD.
In absolute disregard of the need for a tripartite deal, Ethiopia will continue to fill the dam over the upcoming wet season, in the next few weeks.
This has led to anxiety within the other two North African states on securing their share from Nile waters. Both Sudan and Egypt argue that Ethiopia is choosing to ignore decade-old negotiations.
Ethiopian Air Force reinforcements around the Renaissance Dam are stronger than ever.”
Ethiopian Air Force (EAF) Commander Yilma Merdasa, at an EAF award ceremony reiterated that “… the Air Force is closely guarding the Renaissance Dam.
He pointed out that the army protects national sovereignty and looks forward to fully serving the country by defending the GERD.
Merdasa also disclosed that “no aircraft without a permit is allowed to approach (the GERD) area,” as the EAF possesses a superior striking power in surveying activities conducted in the airspace above the GERD.
So far, negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan have failed to reach a consensus over the dam.
Egypt has not openly declared its intention to launch a military strike on the GERD, but a war of words has been unleashed between the three countries. Egyptians on social media have made calls for a military intervention to dissuade Ethiopia from its plans.
