Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi held high-level talks in Cairo on Wednesday aimed at expanding economic cooperation, strengthening coordination on Nile Basin issues and supporting efforts to restore stability in eastern Congo.
The visit, Tshisekedi’s fourth to Egypt in recent years, underscored the growing strategic partnership between Cairo and Kinshasa at a time when both countries are seeking closer coordination on regional security, development and water-related challenges.
Following official reception ceremonies at the presidential palace, the two leaders held bilateral discussions before leading expanded talks between senior officials from both countries. The meetings concluded with the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding designed to boost cooperation across multiple sectors.
Speaking during a joint press conference, President El Sisi emphasized Egypt’s commitment to supporting development projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly in infrastructure, water management and energy.
The Egyptian president announced that Cairo remains committed to supporting dam projects in Congo, providing technical expertise and helping build national capacities as part of broader efforts to promote sustainable development and improve living conditions for the Congolese people.
President El Sisi also highlighted the capabilities of Egyptian companies, particularly in major infrastructure and energy projects, expressing Egypt’s readiness to expand its participation in Congo’s development plans.
Economic cooperation featured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders agreeing to intensify efforts to increase trade volumes and encourage greater investment flows between the two countries. Egyptian officials have increasingly viewed Central Africa as a promising destination for Egyptian businesses seeking new opportunities across the continent.
Regional security issues also occupied a central place in the talks.
President El Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for the sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo, stressing the importance of ongoing international and regional efforts to end violence in the country’s eastern provinces.
The Egyptian president voiced support for the implementation of recent diplomatic initiatives aimed at stabilizing the region and reducing the humanitarian impact of the conflict, while reaffirming Cairo’s readiness to contribute to efforts designed to bridge differences between rival parties.
For his part, President Tshisekedi praised Egypt’s role in supporting peace initiatives across Africa and expressed appreciation for Cairo’s backing of efforts to restore stability in eastern Congo.
The discussions also addressed cooperation among Nile Basin countries, an issue of strategic importance for Egypt. President El Sisi stressed the need to respect international law governing transboundary rivers, while emphasizing continued cooperation among basin states to achieve development goals without harming the interests of other countries.
President Tshisekedi praised Egypt’s approach toward Nile Basin cooperation, describing Cairo as supportive of development ambitions across the region while maintaining a commitment to dialogue and consensus.
The meeting reflected Egypt’s broader strategy of strengthening political and economic ties with African partners while expanding its diplomatic influence on issues ranging from regional security to water resources and infrastructure development.
During the visit, President El Sisi congratulated the Congolese president ahead of the 66th anniversary of his country’s independence later this month and noted that diplomatic relations between Egypt and Congo date back to 1960, forming the foundation of a partnership that continues to expand across political, economic and development sectors.
