By W. Yilma 05/27/09
Many articles were posted in the news cast, internet and news papers, regarding the construction of the Gilgel
Gibe III hydropower. I am following with great interest all the news or
opinions regarding this issue. All the arguments presented so far have similar
intentions. To block the construction of the hydropower, by disseminating lies
based on presumptions about the environmental issues. These kind of lies and “fantasy
scientific arguments” will flow again and again from the same groups, until
they achieved their ill intended agendas. Therefore, we Ethiopians have to be
more vigilant to fight them back. In fact I am not an environmental specialist,
nor do I have a thorough knowledge about the dam which is under construction.
However, I want to share my opinions based on my personal knowledge about the
downstream areas many “environmentalists” re talking about. First, I do believe
that the government will not take a huge risk to start this massive
construction work without conducting a thorough feasibility
studies, through its own agencies (mainly by the Ethiopian Environmental
Agencies). And, second it is understandable that construction of such a huge
dam could have an acceptable environmental or social
impacts, both to down and upstream population. The question that need to
be answered here is that, to what extents the construction work could affect
the downstream population?, and the impact it may causes to the overall
ecosystems. Beside this, does the construction of the dam outweigh the concerns
many foreign “specialists” are raising now ?
To me both arguments raised by various “environmental specialist” from Kenya or a group of individuals calling themselves “African
Resources Working Group” or “ African program of the environmental group
international rivers” are unsubstantiated and are mainly relied on presumptions
notions. I do not think we should keep our ecosystem in a way we kept for the
last 3000 and more years. It is our right to exploit wisely our cross boundary
resources, without causing drastic shift to the ecosystem.
As long as the hydro power dam is satisfying
the interest of 80 million Ethiopians, we should ignore those “special interest
groups“, who worried for few hundred thousand Turkanas. No matter what the
donor countries, or the news cast, like the BBC, or the self appointee
“environmental expertise” from Kenya or America said, we should continue to do
what is important for our country, and people.
Some of the foreign experts, and news casts crossed the line by saying that
the construction of the dam will create uncertainty and conflict in the region.
We know they are expert in creating conflict in Africa,
and we need to prepare for unexpected. Especially at this time! Some of the
news cast, and news papers are the one who stands with terrorists, when it come
to Ethiopia. Terrorism have different terms and versions for them. Construction
of the dam is purely Ethiopia internal affair, and it could not be a cause for
a conflict in the region as many foreigners are advocating now.
We have to know, the more we relied on foreign aid, the more we are
exposing ourselves for foreign intervention in our own domestic affairs. At
this era we have to be more vigilant. I am sure, the intention of those
“environmental specialists” and their friends are not only determined to create
confusion, but also to instigate misunderstandings between Ethiopia and Kenya.
By doing so, they will do their business as usual to satisfy their own personal
interest. Most foreigners working in the so called “third
world countries” in the name of expertise lack intellectual decency, and
are not immune from any forms of corruptions or “all I know” chauvinist
mentality. No matter what, we have to continue with our own way, and with our
own power to finish this hydropower. We should ignore those countries who are
opposing our developmental plan, and show them we are the one who should be a
primary beneficiary from our cross boundary resources. The era of silence must
be stopped. There is no need to ask foreigners how we should exploit our
natural resources, even if it could cause acceptable negative effects to them!
They are the one who should be accountable, and blamed for global worming.
Development programs in Omo valley is not a new strategy for Ethiopia.
During the past regime, a massive agricultural land
development program has been planed at Omo Rate. However, due to various
reasons, the planed agricultural project could not be materialized.
The other issue which the oppositions of the dam construction raised is
that they feared some 500,000 people could see their livelihoods destroyed by
the dam. In the first place, are they certain that the numbers of the
downstream population solely dependent on the Omo river reached half a million?
I have a doubt.
Although my data may not be accurate, the human population of the whole
Southern Omo region is a little more than 120,134 people. As far as I know, not
all inhabitants from South Omo are entirely dependent on Omo river. People
mainly dependent on Omo river are, Dasenech or Geleb, Bodi, Mursi, Bume, Muguji, Karo, Banna (mainly from three
wereda‘s). To some extent, the Dasenech (Geleb) tribes also are using the river
for transportation and fishing, and some also living in the small islands of
lake Turkana.
Beside the human population, the livestock population, which are about
750,000 heads (including cattle, sheep, and goats), and the wild life
populations inhabited in Omo and Mago National parks are mostly dependant on
this perennial river.
What concern me is that, the Omo river have different depth in its course
until it emptied to Lake Turkana. Hence, it have
many marine animal species, mainly Nile crocodile,
various fish sp., and hippopotamus. I am not sure how the project study address
this issue. Although, the project could have some effects on these animals, I
do not think this alone could be a major factor to hamper the construction of
the hydro power.
Due to financial shortage, the above pastoralist areas are under developed,
and the pasture land was degraded, due to
overgrazing, and intermittent drought. They lack livestock marketing
infrastructures, no major water development or conservation or pasture
development programs in the area. Due to the culture and harsh environmental
condition, the agricultural extension program
which was carried out for decades in this area could not achieved the desired
results. The agricultural out put from flood retreat farming practice ( which
many foreign experts are raising the issue to block the construction of the
dam) is insignificant, and could not support the family of four for more than a
month. As a result of this the downstream population depends mainly in
government or other NGOs assistances for their food supply.
Because of scarcity of resources for their livestock, mainly grazing land,
other social factors, and traditions, inter as well as cross boundaries
conflict between different tribes ( the whole Karamojong
cluster) is a daily life in this part of region. Hence, their nomadic way of
life become harder and harder, and insecure too. Therefore, the conflict
between tribes or the chronic food shortage
prevailing in this particular area is not directly related with Omo river.
Hence, the construction of the hydro power could not be a catalyst for conflict
in future.
To me pastoralisism is not a choice to these people, but a way of life they
adopted through time to overcome the challenge nature has brought to them. We
should not let our people to live the way they live for a centuries.
As far as I know, there are many rivers in the down stream areas, and we
can have an opportunity to harvest them effectively, and efficiently if we have
financial power (which the dam could be an alternative financial source, and
the population of the downstream should be a primary beneficiaries from this
income). Because, livestock is the main economic sector for the downstream
people, integrated livestock development program (breeding, forage development,
pond construction, veterinary service etc..) needs to be strengthen in the
area. No matter what the foreign experts are saying, or for the thousand years
to come the Omo river continues to flow without interruptions from the
upstream, the life of the indigenous population will not be improved, unless a
careful and well designed integrated economic developmental plan is in place.
Therefore, the government need to work closely with the downstream population,
and address their concerns properly. If there is an effective public relation
between the government and the population in question, I do not think there
could be problems in that areas. The people knows how to stand to protect their
interest.
What should be clear here is that Omo river is the quintessential “trans
boundary” resources. Hence, there will be always disagreement upon its
distribution and use. We have the river Abay issues with Egypt and Sudan.
Except Kenya, we are surrounded by unfriendly countries. However, because
of the construction of this dam, Kenya may not be a reliable friend, and may
join the Axis at any time. Kenya could be a ground place for militants that
oppose our unity. Recently, I read the reporter interview with the house
speaker of the Kenyan parliament. It is an alarming for us Ethiopians. The
future is in our hand, we survive if we could mange to solve our internal
political problems
For us Ethiopian this will be a test to show for the rest of the world that
we are the master of our own resources. Other wise we are at the point where we
couldn’t do any developmental program, without getting approvals from
foreigners. This is why it is a paramount importance to solve our political
differences before it is too late. Economic development
is unthinkable, and will not be sustainable, if there is no long lasting peace.
The foundation of the Ethiopian politics is not based on ideals and
principles. Sectarian politics, and utopian ideology dominated by cult are a
domain for the last 40 years. This kind of back ward politics could not bring
lasting peace to our people. Hence the tradition of our political engagement
need to be changed in to a new direction.
The mishandling, and overreacting to political differences both by the
government and the oppositions have created a favorable conditions for
foreigners to interfere in our internal affairs. This trend need to be stopped.
We have to have a courage to solve our domestic political differences in
civilized way. Involving actively in solving political differences is easier
than endless blaming for each other. It is also important for the opposition to
change their attitudes toward the government. They should know that blaming
blindly the government, and joining the axis that opposes the unity of Ethiopia
is counterproductive. Giving more emphasis for group politics, and less
attention for national security is a recipe for disaster. No country enjoys
peace and prosperity from political adventurism. Political civility (accepting,
and entertaining political differences) and respect for human dignity and
liberty are a key for social, cultural, educational, and economic development.
We are in dangerous world. It is an obligation for all Ethiopians to do our
best to ease and to solve the political tensions prevailing in our country. We
have to take a hard lessons from the political stagnation we are experiencing
for the last 40 years. We should think beyond group politics. Sustainable economic development, need political
stability. To get political stability mental and spiritual maturity is needed
from the political parties, especially from their leaders.
Long live Ethiopia