Ethiopian public opinion is still mobilized against Egypt, despite the positive atmosphere that prevailed between the Egyptian and Ethiopian delegations during the signing of the principles document on the Renaissance Dam earlier this week.
An Ethiopian journalist told Al-Masry Al-Youm upon anonymity that Ethiopian newspapers are weekly and have yet to write about the principles document or the Egyptian president's visit to Addis Ababa. He added that there is only one daily newspaper which circulates throughout the capital.
Ethiopian media views the visit and the signing of the principles document positively, as it would relieve suspicions Ethiopians have towards Egypt's position with regards to backing development in the African country, the journalist added.
Despite the circulation of positive news in media, however, Ethiopian citizens in Addis Ababa still have doubts and concerns about Egypt's position.
A saleswoman in a library said that she did not know anything about the signing of an agreement between Egypt and Ethiopia on the Renaissance Dam, saying they are still worried about the possibility that Egypt destroys the dam after construction is completed. She expressed hope that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's visit would end the dispute around the dam.
Her colleague Helen agreed that doubts still surround Egypt's position on the dam as well as development in Ethiopia, pointing out the importance of the Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia's development.
"We suffer from a shortage of electricity and we need the dam to achieve further development. The dam is a national project for us," Helen added.
Ethiopia experiences frequent power cuts due to electricity shortages. Despite modernity and other wealth features in the new Addis Ababa City, the old city still suffers from slums and a lack of development.
Ethiopia seeks to build a dam to cover the deficit in electricity and gain revenue streams from its export which will be used in development projects.
A young man named Simon emphasized that he had no fears about Egypt regarding the dam, adding his country would press ahead with construction of the dam to achieve development, eliminate the electricity crisis and generate investments. Simon said he did not know about the principles document or Sisi's visit, but hoped the steps taken were positive ones.
For the first time in 30 years an Egyptian president visited the Ethiopian capital outside of the African summit, in an attempt to strengthen ties and turn over a new leaf in relations between the two countries following controversy and mutual accusations in the media over the construction of the Renaissance Dam.
Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia signed a document on Tuesday concerning the general principles that would govern Ethiopia's construction of the Renaissance Dam on the Blue Nile.
Negotiations and controversy have been ongoing for years over the dam amid fears it would affect shares of the river for the downstream countries, Egypt and Sudan.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
