| The Nile River Basin having the highest number of riparian states in Africa is characterized by poverty, rapid population growth, weak economies, environmental degradation and frequent natural disaster. Plus, bitter war of words owing to imbalance use of the river’s water is its hallmark. Whenever a state moves to utilize the Nile River, lower riparian states, Egypt and Sudan cite the 1929 and the 1959 agreements that historically gave them full right to use the water while denying the others. Whereas, the upper riparian states claim they are not bound by these agreements as they were not signatories and/or the agreements had been rebuffed after independence. So, they struggle for their natural right. Though the river is big enough to accommodate basic needs, such states which share boundaries and identities, have been unable to utilize it fairly and equitably. Instead, they are entrapped by misperception and mutual suspicion.This thesis goes to the heart of this problem and presents public diplomacy as a means to equitably utilize the Nile Water. Thus, it covers the public diplomatic relationship among the peoples and governments of the Basin, particularly Ethiopia and downstream states with regard to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam /GERD/. GERD has been a hotspot between Ethiopia and the lower riparian states’ relation. Centering on Ethiopia’s public diplomacy initiative, the thesis examines its feasibility through the concepts of public diplomacy and soft power. And, implicitly suggests tested and proven solution to the problem. To this end, literatures on soft power, public diplomacy and the Nile Basin are extensively discussed.Accordingly, by listing and reasoning out potential sources of Ethiopia’s soft power, this thesis tries to position Ethiopia on the global soft power’s map. It also gives notice on how soft power can be best wielded through public diplomacy to make the other states want what Ethiopia wants. To this effect, it deals the overview of the riparian states and their historical confrontations at the center of which is the centuries old relationship of Egypt and Ethiopia which is characterized by both concord and discord. Due emphasis is also given to recent engagements and developments in their relations vis-à-vis the GERD.Since it began constructing the GERD, Ethiopia is extensively practicing public diplomacy. People to people exchanges, officials’ visits, and dispatching cultural troupes plus establishing task forces signify the states interest to boost its image abroad. The GERD and the Nile issue in general garner prior media attention in Ethiopia. Though few in number; debates, discussions and researches participating scholars from the other riparian states are well going among the academic circle. The thesis argues that, with evidences, these activities have begun to win the hearts and minds of its targets. Acceptance of Ethiopia’s win- win solutions by the riparian states including Sudan and the shift in intonations between successive Egyptian leaders are taken as signs of the success.Ethiopia ultimately needs its public diplomatic efforts to create a favorable environment that could enable the riparian states design foreign policies in favor of fair and equitable utilization of the Nile Water. Thus, the study urges more to be done. Fine-tuning existing public diplomacy tools, redesigning a comprehensive approach to popularize Ethiopia’s culture throughout the Basin, building capacity of public diplomacy practitioners and understanding the targets’ response are among the suggestions.If the findings and suggestions are taken properly, the thesis will significantly benefit the public diplomacy initiative Ethiopia is implementing. In doing so, it will also do well to the process of trust and confidence building between the upper and lower riparian states. Besides, it serves as a stepping stone for future studies on the field. |
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