GERD Marks Ethiopia’s Intergenerational Victory and Path to Prosperity – Somali region Chief Administrator

Addis Ababa, September 19, 2025 (FMC) – The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) represents an intergenerational victory and a path to national prosperity, Somali Regional State Chief Administrator Mustafe M. Omer has said.

He made the remark during a mass rally held this morning in Jigjiga City to celebrate the dam’s completion and inauguration.

In his address, Mustafe hailed the GERD as a transformative project that not only generates power but also enhances Ethiopia’s regional standing and strengthens national unity. He described the dam as “a monument of victory where generations have left their mark, a symbol of our unity and progress, and a beacon of hope for the new generation.”

Underscoring its significance, the chief administrator noted that the dam embodies the collective resilience of the Ethiopian people, who overcame internal and external challenges under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD). He said the project represents an enduring development legacy that demonstrates Ethiopia’s ability to make history when united for a common cause.

“Built with our own resources, the GERD is a seal of success that has proven we can achieve anything when we stand together,” he emphasized.

Mustafe also recalled Prime Minister Abiy’s speech at the inauguration ceremony, where he announced a wave of new multibillion-dollar mega projects to be launched across Ethiopia. He highlighted that some of these projects are being implemented in the Somali Region, calling them a meaningful New Year’s gift for a community that has long been left at the margins of development.

The GERD, inaugurated on September 9 in the presence of African leaders and international dignitaries, is recognized as Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam and a symbol of Ethiopia’s determination to achieve prosperity through self-reliance.