The recent inauguration of Africa’s largest hydroelectric dam, the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, represents the triumphant fulfillment of a national dream decades in the making. While it promises to power homes and boost regional energy exports, the government also hopes this monumental achievement will galvanize a sense of national pride and unity. This goal is critical for a nation of over 120 million people that has grappled with ethnic, linguistic, and political divisions. However, some analysts caution that such symbolic national projects, while powerful, may only offer a temporary respite from deep-seated issues. Lasting unity, they argue, will require honest confrontation with historical grievances and systemic inequalities through inclusive processes such as the ongoing National Dialogue.
The Conversation
