Ethiopians filled Meskel Square on Sunday, September 14, to celebrate the completion of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), an event marked by powerful declarations from the nations top leaders.

In his address, President Taye Atske Silassie described the GERD as a "precious gift from Ethiopians to Ethiopians,"underscoring that the project was a testament to the nations unwavering resilience and capacity for self-reliance.He stated that the dam demonstrates "Ethiopia's strength yesterday, ingenuity today, and vision for tomorrow."

Adding to the celebratory mood, Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebie hailed the dam as a victory not only for Ethiopia but for all of Africa.She declared that the GERD has changed geopolitical dynamics and stands as an "eternal monument to Ethiopia's unity, resilience, and victory,"proving that Africans can achieve transformative projects with their own resources and expertise.