Addis Ababa (Raxanreeb Online) – Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud joined regional leaders on Sunday for the official inauguration of Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam (GERD), a multi-billion-dollar hydropower project on the Nile River.

The ceremony, led by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, was also attended by the heads of state from Kenya, Djibouti, and South Sudan, coinciding with the Second Africa Climate Summit organized by the African Union in Addis Ababa.

Ethiopia has been constructing the GERD for several years, touting it as a transformative national project. Prime Minister Abiy has previously described the dam as a milestone for Ethiopia’s future, despite persistent disputes with downstream countries Egypt and Sudan, who rely heavily on Nile waters.

The project, which cost an estimated $5 billion, was largely funded through domestic contributions under what Ethiopia called the “National Contribution Campaign.” While Addis Ababa celebrates the completion of the dam, tensions remain high as Egypt and Sudan continue to voice concerns over water security.