U.S’s suspension of development aid to put pressure on Ethiopia regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), “makes absolutely no sense”, the former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Herman J. Cohen said.
The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had reportedly approved a plan to halt America’s foreign assistance to Ethiopia as the administration failed to impose unacceptable agreement on the country over its dispute with Egypt and Sudan on the filling and operation of GERD.
The decision by the Trump administration could affect up to 130 million USD assistance to Ethiopia, it was indicated.
However, Ambassador Cohen said U.S’s suspension of economic development assistance to put pressure on Ethiopia to accept Egypt’s position in the GERD negotiations “makes absolutely no sense”.
The ambassador further wrote on his twitter that the decision “only result is that the U.S. ceases to be considered an impartial mediator, and Ethiopian position hardens.”
Another former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Ambassador Johnnie Carson few days ago has also lambasted the decision to suspend aid to Ethiopia and urged the US to take immediate steps to mend its ways before it is too late.
Ambassador Carson described US’s decision as misguided, shortsighted, and will undermine Washington’s relations and influence in one of Africa’s most significant states.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) is a 6,450 MW hydropower project nearing completion on the Blue Nile in Ethiopia, located about 30 km upstream of the border with Sudan. Upon completion the dam will be the largest hydropower project in Africa.
The Dam was first designed to generate 5,250 MW. However, due to the upgrading made on the power plant, its generation capacity uplifted to 6,000 MW from 5,250 MW.
