Ethiopian employee denies Donald Trump’s claim that the US is funding GERB

An Ethiopian employee denied Donald Trump’s claim that the United States had helped to finance the new megadam of Ethiopia on the Nile River, stating that it was incorrect and “destructive”.

Last week, President Trump said the controversial dam was built “with money from the United States, to a large extent.”

Officially known as the Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (Gerd), the project is the largest hydroelectric plant in Africa and a major source of pride for Ethiopians.

In the 14th years, who had taken the completion of GERB, the Ethiopian authorities repeatedly said that the dam was funded by the government, along with contributions to the Ethiopian people.

However, the dam has angered Egypt and Sudan, which are upstream of the Nile River and are afraid that the dam can lead to less water that flows in their countries.

The BBC has asked US authorities to expand Trump’s comments.

On Tuesday, Fikrt Tamir, Deputy Director of the GERB Coordination Service, rejected Trump’s remarks, saying that the dam was built “without foreign assistance”.

Although a technically independent body, the GERB Coordination Service was created by the government to mobilize resources for the dam.

“With regard to what Donald Trump claims, the government must respond with distant and carefully examined diplomatic procedures,” said Mrs. Fikrte.

Following the comments of G -jj Fikrte, some Ethiopians have asked how personally the GERB coordination service will be for any potential transaction between the government and the US, given its independent status.

The Ethiopia Government did not respond to Trump’s comments about the funding of the dam that began to generate electricity in 2022. And it was completely completed earlier this month.

This is not the first time Trump has stated that our participation in GERB. Last month, in a publication on his social platform for the truth, the president said the dam was “stupidly funded by the United States of America” and “significantly reduces the water that flows into the Nile River”.

Trump refers to The concerns of Egypt and Sudan that the megadam will disrupt the flow of water they receive from the Nile River.

More than a mile long and 145 m high lies on the blue nile in the northern part of Ethiopia, from where 85% of the waters of the Nile River flow.

Ethiopia wants the dam to produce a desperately needed electricity, since the greater part of its population – about 60% – no delivery.

But the construction of GERB led to tension with Egypt – an ally of the Trump administration – and Sudan.

Initially, it is planned to be completed within six years with a budget of $ 4 billion (£ 2.9 billion), GERB generates excitement among the Ethiopian public.

Authorities took advantage of this interest rate on the dam – the bonds were sold to companies, employees promised deductions from their salaries and the huge diaspora of Ethiopia sent in donations.

Despite the project, which is significantly behind the schedule and therefore over -budget, it continues to attract contributions.

During the year leading to July 7, $ 1.7 billion ($ 12.3 million; $ 9.1 million) were raised by the public, the GERB coordination office said.