We the people of Ethiopia, Ethiopian origin and friends of Ethiopia are deeply concerned and offended by the statement recently made by the President of the United States of America evoking that Egypt should blow up the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD).  In spite of the long-standing historical relationship our two nations enjoyed for over a century, the remarks made by President Trump are wrong, reckless and potentially disruptive to the ongoing negotiation between Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan. Moreover, such remarks provoke conflict and undermine peaceful resolution. Such an outrageous intimidation is unfitting for the President of the United States of America and threatens Ethiopian sovereignty. It further puts in question the credibility of United States’ role as a responsible global power. In essence, the President is giving his blessing for  Egypt to wage war on Ethiopia and its people.

Ethiopia has always stood for  peaceful resolution of the matter of GERD based on cooperation, non interference, mutual trust  and the principle of equitable and reasonable utilization. However, Ethiopians will not cave in to aggressions of any kind. 

We call on the US Congress, the United Nations, the African Union, the European Union, and all peace loving leaders and people across the world to strongly condemn the reckless statement of President Trump and support the peaceful efforts of Ethiopia.