Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and Ethio-Egyptian Hydro-Political Relations: The Interplay between Securitization and De-securitization

Abstract

The central objective of this paper is to explore the ambitions, myth and reality behind the securitization and de-securitization of Nile hydro-politics by Egyptian and Ethiopian government concerning the construction of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). The study based on Barry Buza’s Securitization conceptual frameworks accompanied with Zeitoun and Warners hydro-hegemonic and counter-hydro-hegemony analytical frameworks. To this end, the researcher employed qualitative research approach. Accordingly, data were collected from secondary sources like books, journal articles, legal and policy documents, unpublished materials, websites, conventions and media outlets. Based on the analyzed data, the study comes up with the finding which shows that the securitization claim of Egypt under the pretext of ‘Nile is the life of Egypt’ and the 1929 and 1959 Nile agreements as legal frameworks guiding the Nile Hydropolitics is the outdated propaganda that they use to deceive others in 21^st century. However, the data show that Egypt uses old strategies like proxy war, incentive, legitimacy and domestic political grievance using updated tactics to destabilize Ethiopia in order to halt the construction of GERD or divert the construction process inline to Egyptian interests. On the other hand, the Ethiopia’s attempt of regional cooperation among upper riparian states as lasting solution is unrealistic ambition in the short term. Therefore, the study suggests that Ethiopia should first solve domestic political grievance and create internal political solidarity. In the same manner, Ethiopia is expected to reduce its external vulnerability to overcome proxy war, which may come from neighbor states. Finally, in the long run Ethiopia can establish upper stream cooperation to reverse the Nile Hydro-hegemony and realize Nile wide cooperation.