Muldays Mondays The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam II: Qatar,Saudi,Egypt...Who gives a dam?

An homage of colors for all the countries involved

Do you see Qatar? 

DO YOU KNOW YOUR NILE BASIN COUNTRIES AND (OTHER FRIENDS)?

Our countries above are: Uganda, Tanzania, Sudan, Rwanda, Egypt, Burundi, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, China, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

the nile basin initiative 

An Update from the Nile Basin Initiative on the Great Dam:

“......“I urge member states to take advantage of the solution pathways that have emerged from this forum and build on the networks established. We all have a role to play in ensuring a water secure future in the Nile Basin region and making it a better place for all living beings,”

— The Nile Basin Initiative Secretariat Executive Director, Eng. Innocent Ntabana, October 2017

To learn more about, The Nile Basin Initiative and their role in Water Security and Scarcity 

Well that escalated quickly. It appears tensions have escalated quite a bit between Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Qatar. Yup, Qatar the country that seems to ooze the kind of wealth, we mere mortals could not even imagine because we are poor and useless.

“Yo! Keep your shit far away from us, because we have our own problems

”

— Qatar to all Nile States

Before we go any further, did you read the first part? Catch up 

So, Ethiopia is still not giving any $%&*@, they are going through with their Grand Renaissance Dam. This is the Ethiopia that is admired, take no bull approach to fighting for their narratives and spaces. I should also point out here that Ethiopia is doing exactly what China does to feed all those billions of folks at home. To understand some of the woes, read below on China re-creating dams and redirecting Water and the impact of this to India.

The difference between Ethiopia and China would be the openness to discuss all issues related to the dam

IS THE DAM REALLY THAT BAD OF AN IDEA?

There were initially concerns from Egypt and Sudan that the creation of the Dam will take away from sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, but Sudan is now on “Team Great Dam” as you read from our last post.

Sudan has played the role of mediator between Egypt and Ethiopia. I should point out Sudan has signed quite a few deals  with Ethiopia and stands to benefit from tremendous hydroelectric power. 

“We do not want your dam, it poses Water Security issues ”

— Egypt Tears and Feelings that are filling the Nile

From the Genesis of the Dam to current day, Egypt has made it clear, it does not want the creation of this dam. It does not want to halt building the damn, it simply wants to scrap it away. Egypt has gone as far, has threating to start a war with Ethiopia over the dam.  

The talks between Egypt and Ethiopia is just.....

“99 Problems but a Dam ain’t one”

— Mr. Sean Carter, but you may refer to him as Jigga

THERE IS JUST TO MUCH GOING ON......

Sudan and Egypt have trust issues that are all centered on the ongoing South Sudan War. President Omar al-Bashir has the belief that Egypt gives weapons to South Sudan tthat keeps the war going. 
 

COLONIAL COMPLICATIONS & FALSE LABELS

Egypt and Sudan have issues at home and in West Asia or the "Middle East". 

“I have a dream one day, continents will be judged for their continent status and not political relationships. West Asia not Middle East
”

— Water & Cassava

So you recall that Saudi Arabia and Friends cut diplomatic ties with Qatar because of their support for terrorism. All soughts of irony and it would be funny if the B.S was not getting people killed.
 

Do you know this ABBA SONG...... 

SAUDI ARABIA & SUDAN

BUT IN 2014....

SUDAN & QATAR

Qatar clearly wants to know Sudan more with that $70 million "investment" to Sudan.  

 Hala'ib Triangle 

This is another big issue between Egypt and Sudan that has lasted from 1899-Current Day

“OH GOD, WHY IS IT THIS MESSY???”

— Water & Cassava

Just watch

BACK TO SUDAN AND SAUDI

It is fair to conclude that it very awkward between Saudi and Qatar with repect to Sudan and Egypt.

Sudan is playing or trying to play mediator between Saudi Arabia and Qatar… 

“Oh SHIT this is to funny, I am in tears. You see the problems with labels and how they confuse folk?”

— Water & Cassava

But

“One of my parents once told me not to ever confuse tolerance with acceptance.
Sudan that comment was for you…
Bashir you don’t have the Madiba Effect or Diplomacy, so sit DOWN….Wait are you not suppose to be in the international court???….

You are not a Arab Brother because of a language and a religion is....YOU ARE AFRICAN , AFRICAN BEFORE ANYTHING”

— Water & Cassava

SUDAN AND EYGPT (PETTINEESS)
Sudan has banned all agriculture and animal imports to Egypt
 

Egypt has banned sudan journalist and Sudan has place travel restrictions.

THE SECOND POINT OF THE DAM MADNESS: CHINA

It seems like the norm to any development in Africa must include China. China spotted $1.2 billion to Ethiopia but still the country seems to be pulling off the unimaginable. The Dam still has a way to go, it takes 5-10 years for a full dam to operate. 
 

SO WHY WOULD EGYPT THINK ETHIOPIA GOT FUNDING FROM QATAR?

.......Ethiopia denies receiving funding from Qatar to build The Renaissance Dam

EGYPT AND THREATS

“Egypt president Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi issued a stern warning to Ethiopia over the mega dam  saying “water is a matter of life or death.” and that “No one can touch Egypt’s share of water.””

— All Bark and no Bite

Until next Mulday or if the Dam is destroyed

Muldays Mondays: China's Waterplomacy "The OMFG, The Ugly and the Bad.......

Waterplomacy: China's Water Woes

“To understand the politricks behind water security and related topics, simply pay attention to these terms: Economic Activities and Development, Peace and Political Stability, Financing (Remember W.A.S.H?), Ecosystems, Drinking Water, Water Pollution, Climate Change, Good Governance and Transboundary Cooperation”

— Water & Cassava

.... OMFG- The Case of The Gambia  

On May 22 2017, The Bolong Fenyo Wild Life Reserve in Gambia was poisoned by the Chinese owned company Golden Lead Factory. The color of water ranges from pink to red, because of the dead animals discovered in the reserve and surrounding areas. After an investigation, it was discovered the pipelines were dumping toxins to the reserve. The company blamed the local fishermen for killing every single fish in the reserve.
I am sure you can imagine, the local people and government had some difficulty believing this formal response. The Gambia National Environment Agency sued The Golden Lead Factory for violating environmental regulations and for the pollution of the sea. 

Bolong Fenyo Wild Life Reserve after poison

Please click below to learn more:

Now after this, you will think Gambia will be singing this to China:

But in the words of the young boyz from Philadelphia:

As of August of this year, Gambia decided to work with China on supporting and building on infrastructure, agriculture, and tourism. China in return will have unrestricted access to the Gambian market and about the  T word....

“China: Gambia you understand there is only one China
Gambia: We understand that Taiwan is not a country, Please don’t go away”

— Imagined by Water & Cassava

To read more on Gambia not wanting China to go away:

 

...The UGLY-The Case of Cameroon 

Meanwhile down south from Gambia, we have the country of Cameroon. A country that has had the same president for the last 30 years, home to 5 separate groups that wish to take their independence from the country and ninth country to benefit from Chinese loans and aid. 

“The Cameroonian Ministry of Economy signed multiple technical and economic agreements with China worth FCFA 49.4 billion (594 million yuan) for a drinking water supply project”

To get the brief gist of this project:

SPEAKING OF HELL AROUND THE CORNER..

Cameroon is the walking definition of the song above.  

“...Cameroon owes China $1 billion dollars in loans”

— Water & Cassava

....The Bad: The Case of China's Water Security Issues

China has a host of water security issues internally and with neighboring countries. Home to 1.3 billion people, that is roughly 20% of our planet's population. China struggles with access to fresh water but in order to understand the role of agriculture in China's water woes, read this article: 

“Birth Control OR Control of Birth ”

— Water & Cassava

The answer from the China government to water security concerns, is the South-North Water Transfer Project that will cost the government $62 billion dollars. There are some serious concerns on the role of pollution in the building of such a massive project including serious risk to the population. Read below to understand why such concerns are alarming:

CHINA AND INDIA WATER WARS: BUDDAH BE A FENCE

China's attempt to deal with water scarcity has been to build more dams to divert water in regions of the country that lack water. This diversion has cost India lives and over $30 million in damages. Read this article to understand the growing tensions between India and China that stem from water manipulation

Until next Mulday!

Muldays Mondays The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam: Egypt, Oh Egypt! Isn't Sharing Caring?

Just how it works

What is Hydropower?
Simply, it is electricity generated from moving water. It is also one of the oldest power sources, we have on our big blue planet. Watch this video below to learn more!

Africa's Largest Hydro Power Plant. 

The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam at completion will be the largest hydro-power source in Africa. The Dam will be powered by the Blue Nile River.

“Sharing is caring...”

— But Who Said I Cared? Egypt are you there?

.....About Egypt and The Nile.......

The Blue Nile River for Egypt is a vital organ and part of the country's identity. I mean honestly, would Egypt be EGYPT without the Blue Nile River? Ancient Egypt thrived on rich fertile vegetation because of the Nile and this allowed for Egypt to be a major key player in not just North Africa but througout the entire continent.

However, this is not quite the case today. 

“Arab Spring calling President Hosni Mubarak .... To soon??”

— Water & Cassava

The Egyptian government has very strong reservations and concerns about the development of the dam. Their reservations must be rightfully considered, as over 90% of all water supply for Egyptians comes from the Nile. They do not envision this creation by the Ethiopians as a tool that can stimulate development and advancement for all Nile Basin Countries.

Egypt points out to signed agreements with all Nile Basin Countries that guarantee them the amount of 55 billion cubic meters of Nile Water per year including veto power on any matters that concern the damn.  Did I forget to mention Egypt wants to honor agreements signed in 1902, 1906, 1929 and 1959.

 

refresher course on african colonialism 101

Egypt gained full independence in 1953 from Great Britain, I mean to argue 1922 would really be insulting to the fact that in 1922, Egypt was still controlled by the British and they lacked full autonomy.  

The other Nile Basin Countries and year of independence:  

Rwanda(62)
Burundi(62)
 Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)(60)
Tanzania(61)
Kenya(63)
Uganda(62),
Sudan(56)
Ethiopia(Independent since year 0). 

“Can you appreciate, why the other nations might think Egypt is full of Sugar Honey Ice Tea?”

— Water & Cassava ... Wondering, Why the colonial past won't stay in the past?

Now let us be honest, the last three Egyptian presidents were not exactly focused on Africa or Water security laws. 

Hosni Mubarak, Oh Where do I begin with you papa? Oh wait you are Arab right? I mean, how dare I call you an African?

Mohamed Morsi, you actually considered attacking Ethiopia with weapons!! So to stop her ambition from building the dam. I am not to sure if there are enough profane words to describe that situation. 

Ah yes, current President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ! I will give you credit for understanding the tact in diplomacy. Readers this one here has started a "River Nile" is ours campaign throughout the continent. He traveled to Tanzania, Gabon, Chad and Rwanda to complain. So the next move will be someone from the west. Then the final straw, pleading your case to powerful global north spaces, as the the entire global community pleads with you. Well played Sir, well played...

To understand his campaign efforts, go here

 

“Did you know 60% of the Nile comes from Ethiopia?”

— Petty, yup we all are

The population of Egypt is growing very fast and a huge majority stay in the Nile but you would think an investment in the public health sector would come in handy right now. Even with the colonialist agreement, Egypt currently receives only 660 cubic meters a person.  Clearly with a population of 95 + million, we can conclude there are people clearly lacking access to water. Egypt must admit dropping the ball with the Nile due to widespread inefficiency, pollution and waste.

There is also Lake Nasser that has more than enough of water for the people of Egypt in addition to Nile. 

 EGYPT NO LONGER A RESPECTED REGIONAL PLAYER

Egypt no longer enjoys a strong regional influence as it once did in North Africa or the continent. Egypt is still dealing with the aftermath of the Arab Spring and there are a host of other pressing concerns. The current President of Egypt is working on building regional power throughout Africa. However it faces fierce competition with next door neighbor Morocco. If you would like to know, just how Morocco is using soft power and influence, please read our last entry. 

BUT FROM ETHIOPIA'S POINT OF VIEW?

The country has invested over $4 billion in this project, Did I mention that employees took a slice in their paycheck, just to make this possible?

“Colonial Law: Hello Ethiopia, can we talk?
Ethiopia: $%^@ you and your talk
Colonial Law: Okay, let’s catch up say in 2017?
Ethiopia: $%^@ you today, tomorrow and another century from now

”

— Water & Cassava

SUDAN, THE PEACEMAKER?

Sudanese President Umar al-Bashir is a very smart man. Instead of barking and the other b word, he is now the peacemaker of this wonderful example of Africa Corporation in the dialogue of Water Security.

Yes, I forgot to mention, he wants to create a free economic zone which does not really include the other basin countries. 

He is also not willing to share the details of just how this would work. Continuously, all three players say the following after every meeting to the media, "The talks were great and The talks were productive". 

There is a positive note to all of this bickering. What B word did you think I was referring to? The countries that surround the Nile River are part of the Nile Basin Initiative. On October 23rd- 25th 2017, all of these countries shall meet and discuss moving forward on the dam and also for the the sake of International Corporation.  To learn more on the NBI:

“We forgot to mention, Egypt has been absent from the NBI for about 7 years. It is fair to say talks will be tense”

— Water & Cassava

Read the article below to understand more on Egypt's absence. 

Until next Mulday!

.