Ethiopian Official Rebuts Trump’s Claims on US Funding for Nile Dam

Amid rising tensions over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, Ethiopian officials have refuted claims by Donald Trump that the United States funded its construction. The dam, seen as a symbol of national pride, has faced disputes with Egypt and Sudan over water rights.

An Ethiopian government official has forcefully rebutted claims made by Donald Trump, asserting that the United States did not fund the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). Trump had previously stated that the controversial dam was financially supported "largely" by US funds, a claim that has been labeled false and "destructive" by Ethiopian representatives.

The GERD, which stands as Africa's largest hydroelectric power plant, has been a significant source of national pride for Ethiopia since its inception. Over the past 14 years, Ethiopian authorities have consistently maintained that the dam's funding came solely from government resources and contributions from Ethiopian citizens. The project has been completed recently, with electricity generation commencing in 2022.

The dam has drawn scrutiny from Egypt and Sudan, located upstream on the Nile River, as concerns mount over potential reductions in water inflow to their regions. The deputy director of the GERD Coordination Office, Fikrte Tamir, has expressly rejected Trump's assertions, stating that the dam was constructed “without any foreign aid.”

Trump's previous claims regarding US involvement have prompted questions about the GHerd Coordination Office's role in diplomatic dealings with the US, given its connections to the Ethiopian government. Despite the increasing international dialogue, the Ethiopian government has yet to formally address Trump’s statements regarding the dam's funding origins.

Lauded for its ambitious design and projected socioeconomic benefits, including much-needed energy for its population, the GERD has navigated a tumultuous construction timeline, originally intended to be completed within six years and a budget of $4 billion. Nevertheless, it has managed to secure substantial public funding, even amid delays, raising over 1.7 billion birr ($12.3 million) in recent contributions alone. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the saga surrounding the GERD remains critical to regional water rights and international relations between Ethiopia and its neighbors.