[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 118 (Friday, June 26, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E582]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     CALLING FOR A PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO GERD PROJECT NEGOTIATION

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 26, 2020

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of continued 
cooperation and peaceful negotiations between Ethiopia, Egypt, and 
Sudan regarding the construction and operation of the Grand Ethiopian 
Renaissance Dam (GERD). Furthermore, I urge the Trump Administration to 
respect our nation's role as an impartial observer to these discussions 
going forward.
   As you know, the GERD project broke ground in 2011. Next month, 
construction will be complete. When fully filled and operational, the 
dam will generate approximately 6,000 megawatts of electricity--making 
it the largest hydropower project in Africa. It will directly impact 
the flow of water, increase the supply of energy, and help ensure food 
security in Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan. In Ethiopia, it will help 
alleviate drought conditions that have impacted nearly one fifth of its 
population and inflicted untold damage on crops across the county. In 
Egypt, it will help improve water supply for the rapidly growing 
population. In Sudan, it will help reduce sediment and control 
flooding.
  For the past four years, negotiations have followed the 2015 
Declaration of Principles, agreed upon by the three countries involved 
in the negotiations. These principles outlined a commitment to peaceful 
resolution to conflicts as they arise; mutual trust and respect; 
information sharing; security; respect for one another's sovereignty; 
and stewardship of the River Nile.
  In recent months, tensions have escalated between Ethiopia and Egypt, 
putting the project in jeopardy. We must honor our nation's role as an 
observer of these negotiations and avoid taking on an additional role 
as a facilitator or mediator. Moreover, we must not play favorites or 
take any other action that may risk damaging the integrity of this 
process or put a peaceful, mutually beneficial agreement out of reach.
  As negotiations continue, I urge the United States Government and all 
other international parties to respect the 2015 Declaration of 
Principles, engage only with African Union diplomats, and support a 
peaceful resolution for all countries involved and for the region at 
large.