Egyptian President: We Reject Politicizing the Nile Water File for Political Gains

Cairo, Oct 3 (KUNA) -- Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reaffirmed today, Saturday, his country’s rejection of using the Nile water file to achieve political gains, warning against the risks of unilateral measures that affect the water interests of riparian states.

In a statement, Mohamed El-Shenawy, the official spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency, said this came during a meeting held by el-Sisi with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who currently holds the chairmanship of the African Union, at the sidelines of the “Alamein: Africa for Business” forum hosted by Egypt.

The spokesperson clarified that the two presidents discussed recent developments regarding the Nile water file, with el-Sisi emphasizing the importance of enhancing cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on achieving shared interests and avoiding harm to any of those states. He stressed the constants of Egypt’s position, which include safeguarding Egypt’s rights and water interests as an existential issue for the Egyptian people, and Egypt’s support for development efforts in all Nile Basin countries.

El-Sisi commended the current Burundian presidency of the African Union and the sincere efforts and wise leadership of President Ndayishimiye in enhancing cooperation and integration among African countries and advancing the implementation of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. He also reaffirmed Egypt’s commitment to continuing coordination and consultation with Burundi and supporting the role of the African Union in settling conflicts and crises on the continent through peaceful means, thereby contributing to enhancing stability and realizing the African peoples’ aspirations for development and prosperity.

The official spokesperson stated that the meeting also addressed ways to strengthen relations between the two countries, with the Egyptian president reiterating his country’s commitment to continuing to elevate economic and developmental cooperation between them, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation, water resources, energy, health, and capacity building. El-Sisi stressed the importance of leveraging the expertise and capabilities of Egyptian companies in implementing developmental projects in Burundi, thereby serving the shared interests of both peoples and supporting economic and social development efforts.

For his part, the Burundian president expressed his anticipation for convening the joint committee between the two countries and his appreciation for the remarkable progress witnessed in bilateral relations, commending the Egyptian counterpart’s readiness to enhance cooperation and benefit from Egyptian expertise in various developmental fields.

Ndayishimiye praised Egypt’s active role in supporting development efforts and consolidating peace and security on the African continent, reaffirming his country’s commitment to maintaining close coordination and consultation with Egypt within the framework of the African Union and on issues of common interest.

In a separate context, the Burundian president affirmed his country’s full understanding of Egypt’s concerns regarding the Nile water file and its view of water as an existential issue for Egypt, emphasizing that development cannot be achieved at the expense of people. He noted Burundi’s commitment to consolidating the principles of cooperation, consultation, and consensus among basin countries, thereby achieving shared interests, enhancing the optimal use of shared water resources, and contributing to supporting stability and development for the peoples of the region. (End) A.S.M./R.J.