- Political, ethnic and other differences between and among Ethiopian and horn of African peoples should be put aside when dealing with Ethiopia's long-term national and economic interests in regards to the Nile dispute, according to top opposition officials in Ethiopia.
Document Source: Capital
Ethiopian opposition parties united behind the government on the new Nile treaty signed between five of the upstream countries and urged Egypt and Sudan to accept equitable sharing of the water.
It is unusual to see such a consensus. For instance, the opposition, excluding the Ethiopian Democratic Party (EDP), objected to the decision to enter Somalia in 2008.
But the issue of the Nile’s water led the opposition to line up behind the EPRDF. Bulcha Demeksa, an MP and chairman of Oromo Federalist Democratic Movement (OFDM), praised the government’s role in the latest Nile pact.
The latest water sharing deal would mean Ethiopia regains its lost right to benefit from the river and he urged all parties to back the government.
EPRDF should deeply appraise the historical and legal backgrounds of the water and stand firm if it continues on power for the next five years, Bulcha added.
Haliu Shawel’s All Ethiopian Unity Party (AEUP), a popular opposition party next to Medrek, also affirmed the ruling government’s achievement in replacing the colonial era pact.
“I am not in opposition for the sake of opposing” Hailu said. “I started my job on the Nile Basin by studying Tana Beles Hydropower Project 36 years ago and I know how it can empower the country’s economy.”
Merera Gudina, chairman of Oromo Peoples Congress and also an MP, praised the government’s achievement, but warned that it must stand firm.
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