This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
Published on July 8, 2020, Ethiopia's Water, Irrigation and Energy Minister Seleshi Bekele has accused Egypt of being behind recent unrest in the country, which followed the death of popular musician Hachalu Hundessa.
The unrest has led to the arrest of over 1,200 people and the deaths of at least 160, including police officers, in the Oromia region and the capital, Addis Ababa.
Bekele pointed an accusing finger at Egypt, saying the neighboring country's motive was to stop Ethiopia from continuing with the Grand Renaissance Dam project, set to be Africa's largest.
Construction of the mega dam has sparked tensions with neighboring countries that are downstream on the Blue Nile, with Egypt and Sudan reckoning that the billion-dollar project threatens the livelihoods of its citizens.
However, officials now say that the project remains on course as the government vowed to fill the dam despite the outcome of ongoing talks.
Bekele said the dam is ready for the first round of filling and turbines already installed, adding that it is 74.5 percent complete.
Dam talks have resumed between the three states, with Kenya providing technical and legal support in efforts to reach a final agreement.
