Ethiopia’s ambitious Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) project — a symbol of national pride and Africa’s largest hydroelectric undertaking — is once again at the center of international and domestic tensions. While Addis Ababa hails the dam as essential for development and energy security, human rights organizations warn of growing repression, forced displacements, and political unrest tied to the project.

As negotiations with Egypt and Sudan remain fragile, the Ethiopian government faces intensifying criticism for its handling of dissent at home. For many observers, the GERD has become more than a water dispute — it is a flashpoint revealing Ethiopia’s governance challenges and raising urgent questions about rights, security, and Pan-African solidarity.