The milestone event of the swearing-in of Ethiopia’s new President, Taye Atske Selassie, at the joint session of the House of People’s Representatives and the House of Federation has attracted considerable interest from the international community. In his address to both houses, Selassie highlighted the importance of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), describing it as a colossal project that represents an exceptional achievement in Ethiopia’s modern history.
According to information relayed by the website of Ethiopia’s public broadcaster Fana Broadcasting Corporate, Taye highlighted the completion of the dam’s construction and its fifth phase of filling, constituting a major milestone in the country’s development. He also announced the completion of the civil engineering works related to the dam, stressing that the dam is not only a vital source of electricity but also fulfills Ethiopia’s long-standing national aspirations.
The successful completion of the GERD, according to Taye, demonstrates Ethiopia’s ability to achieve its development goals independently. The newly appointed President stressed that the dam will also benefit neighboring countries, promoting regional development and reducing risks related to river basin management.
In a diplomatic context, Taye Atske Selassie previously served as Ethiopia’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Egypt between 2017 and 2018. His tenure in Egypt concluded with a press conference during which he praised the strength of bilateral relations between the two countries over the past two years. He also assured Ethiopia’s firm commitment to Egypt’s interests regarding the Nile waters and the GERD, commending Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s handling of the entire file, which has fostered constructive dialogue between the two parties.
In short, the swearing-in of Taye Atske Selassie as Ethiopian President and his statements on the GERD marked a significant turning point in Ethiopia’s history, highlighting the country’s development potential and its capacity to deliver on regional projects. A new era is dawning for Ethiopia, driven by the vision and determination of its leaders to promote prosperity and cooperation in the region.