MOGADISHU (kaab TV) – Somalia’s federal government on Tuesday declared its support for Ethiopia’s Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), as President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud attended the official inauguration ceremony in Addis Ababa.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the $4 billion project, first launched in 2011.
The GERD, Africa’s largest hydro-electric plant, is expected to produce 15,700 GWh annually and has become a landmark symbol of Ethiopian national pride.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Mohamud said Ethiopia “has the right to pursue happiness and prosperity” through the project, while also emphasizing the need for regional understanding.
“Somalia’s vision is clear: our collective stability and prosperity depend on ensuring that every nation feels its concerns are heard, its interests safeguarded,” he said. Acknowledging the concerns of Egypt and other downstream countries, he added: “We understand water sources touch life differently in each country. For some it is about survival and water security. For others it is about energy and growth.”
Egypt strongly opposes the GERD, arguing it threatens its agricultural lifeline, and has previously issued warnings of military action.
Last year, Somalia signed a defense pact with Cairo, which pledged to deploy troops to Somalia under the African Union framework.
The deployment has yet to take place and has been widely viewed as an effort to counter Ethiopia’s dam project.
Many analysts had expected President Mohamud to avoid the ceremony given Somalia’s ties with Egypt.
However, his attendance signaled a clear diplomatic message of support to Addis Ababa.
Meanwhile, Puntland state in northeastern Somalia has also welcomed the GERD, describing it as an “African project.”