(CNN) - On Monday, the Ethiopian Parliament reappointed Abiy Ahmed as Prime Minister for a second term, during the government formation session, in which he spoke about what he called “the pressures that his country faced in building the Renaissance Dam,” according to what was reported by the official Ethiopian “ENA” news agency.
Following his appointment, Abiy Ahmed took the constitutional oath, marking the start of his second term following the recent elections and the formation of a new government in Ethiopia.
After taking the constitutional oath, he affirmed that “Ethiopia is fully prepared to confront and effectively repel the threats directed against the country,” pledging that “the state’s leadership will remain firmly committed to protecting Ethiopia’s national interests and moving forward in achieving its aspirations,” according to what was reported by the “ENA” agency.
Abiy Ahmed said that the country has now learned from those experiences and has made the necessary preparations to confront the challenges and what he described as “hostile actions” directed against Ethiopia.
He added, "Ethiopia also faced pressure while asserting its right to use the waters of its rivers and completing the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam," he claimed.
Abiy Ahmed said: “When they pulled us with a long rope to prevent us from completing our dam, we stumbled, but we did not fall, and we will not fall,” according to his description, and according to the “ENA” agency.
He also continued his speech by saying, "These experiences demonstrated Ethiopia's ability to withstand obstacles and continue striving to achieve its national goals."
“Ethiopia’s long-term quest to ensure reliable access to the sea remains a key national priority,” the Prime Minister explained.
“We will work tirelessly to ensure that Ethiopia obtains a sea access,” Abiy Ahmed said, reiterating the government’s commitment to continue pursuing this goal.
The Ethiopian Prime Minister placed this issue within the “framework of Ethiopia’s broader national aspirations,” saying that “the country should not be satisfied with transforming itself, but rather should aspire to transform into a country capable of contributing to transformation beyond its borders,” according to “ENA.”
Last year, Ethiopia officially opened Africa's largest hydroelectric dam, a project that will provide power to millions of Ethiopians while deepening the region's destabilizing dispute with Egypt.
The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was built on the Blue Nile, the most important tributary of the Nile River, and has been generating electricity for 3 years.
Ethiopia has suffered from years of internal conflict, and experts say this dam has been a real source of unity for the country.
But Egypt, located downstream, is concerned. The Nile is the lifeline of Egypt, and since it is a mostly desert country, its residents depend on the Nile River to provide about 90% of their fresh water.
Egypt now fears that the new dam will lead to a water shortage.
As for Sudan, Ethiopia's neighbor, it also fears an interruption in its water supply, and has joined Egypt's calls to conclude binding agreements on filling and operating the dam.
At the same time, Ethiopia has repeatedly declared that the dam does not pose a threat and will continue to provide a steady water supply.
