Sisi: Egypt's water rights are an 'existential issue'... We reject using Nile waters for political gains

- Warned against unilateral measures that affect the interests of Nile Basin countries

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed on Saturday that Egypt’s rights and water interests constitute an existential issue for the Egyptian people, warning of the dangers of unilateral measures that affect the interests of riparian states and emphasizing Cairo’s rejection of using the Nile water file to achieve political gains.

This came during al-Sisi’s meeting with the President of the Republic of Burundi and the current Chairperson of the African Union, Evariste Ndayishimiye, on the sidelines of the “Alamein… Africa for Business” forum held in the new city of Alamein.

The official spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, said the meeting addressed recent developments regarding the Nile water file, with al-Sisi stressing the importance of enhancing cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on achieving shared interests and avoiding harm to any of the basin states.

Al-Sisi reiterated the fixed principles of Egypt’s position, which center on safeguarding Egypt’s rights and water interests as an existential issue for the Egyptian people, while affirming Cairo’s support for development efforts in all Nile Basin countries.

He warned against the risks of unilateral measures that affect the water interests of riparian states, reiterating Egypt’s rejection of using the Nile water file to achieve political gains.

Al-Sisi also affirmed Egypt’s commitment to continuing coordination and consultation with Burundi, and supporting the role of the African Union in resolving conflicts and crises on the continent through peaceful means, thereby contributing to enhancing stability and realizing the aspirations of African peoples for development and prosperity.