The Ethiopian army has pledged to secure the construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) until its completion and to confront any force that might attempt to invade the area. Ethiopian News Agency reported that leaders and members of the 22nd Army Division announced that their unit is working to protect the area and the dam’s construction schedule. The Division’s Deputy Commander Azineh Shimelis said that his forces will provide all necessary protection to the construction project, including its supplies. Shimelis added that another task assigned to the division will confront any forces that attempt to enter the area. The disputed dam is the largest hydroelectric project in Africa, with a cost of more than US$4 billion.