Page 19 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 25

Leadership

Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Reflecting on Ethiopia’s

Dam (GERD) will advance audacious step towards
Ethiopia’s economy over the regional relations, Freeman
years ahead. The diplomatic commended Prime Minister
activities that Ethiopia has Abiy Ahmed’s motivation and
been doing on the global stage courage in 2018 of settling
while constructing the Dam, past grievances over land with

Lawrence Freeman is a Political-Economic Analyst for Africa’s flagship project, Eritrea, which won him the
Africa, who has been involved in economic development has been significant. The Nobel Peace Prize. However,
policies for Africa for over 30 years. He is a teacher,
writer, public speaker, and consultant on Africa. Mr. completion of GERD is a game there is no reason for anyone
Freeman strongly believes that economic development is an changer to boost Ethiopia’s who understands the region, to
essential human right. He is also the creator of the blog: say and diplomatic bargain claim that Ethiopia’s policies
lawrencefreemanafricaandtheworld.com
in the region and beyond. towards achieving a port that
The GERD with only two would give the nation access
establishment. Whilst, this puts turbines operating is already to the Red Sea, is a cause for
Ethiopia in an important and strengthening Ethiopia’s export war in the Horn of Africa. This
unique position on the African of clean energy to Sudan, is blatantly untrue and those

continent and also globally. Kenya, and Djibouti. As the who are participating in this
GERD reaches its complete war-mongering event may have
Ethiopia’s economic growth potential of 5,150 megawatts, ulterior motives for promoting
also instantly linked with it will not only supply more this kind of scenario. War
activities the nation has carried energy to Ethiopia but also should not be on the table
out on its foreign relations. expand export of electricity to because it is in no country’s
Prior to the emergence of neighboring nations in Eastern interest.
COVID-19 and the onset of Africa. Thus, the GERD and
the war in northern Ethiopia Ethiopia have already started Ethiopia doesn’t need war

in November 2020, Ethiopia causing the most demanded to access seaports that it can
was one among a few African regional economic integration, develop to expand its export-
and world nations with fastest which will expand and provide import trade. Hailing the recent
growing economies. This of a potential model for regional agreement signed between
course was slowed down by economic integration. Ethiopia and Somaliland,
the above-mentioned causes, Freeman said the agreement
Freeman explained. “However, With its electricity potential will enhance regional

we should expect that Ethiopia Ethiopia has the potential to integration. The agreement
has the potential to become a become a major economic speed up the growth Ethiopia’s
leader once again in economic powerhouse on the continent. landlocked economy by
growth in Eastern Africa and Thus, Ethiopia is expected providing access to Red Sea
the African continent.” to emerge as one of the most ports, potentially boosting trade
dynamic economies in the and fostering closer economic
Freeman elaborated that world. ties in the Horn region, he
the near completion of the added.

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