Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi used a high-level gathering of African leaders in Cairo to reiterate Egypt’s long-standing position on regional disputes, stressing that Cairo has never threatened Ethiopia despite ongoing disagreements over the Nile and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and firmly rejecting military solutions in favor of dialogue and political agreements.
Speaking on Saturday during a meeting with African ministers, heads of delegations, and representatives of the African Union Commission and regional blocs, President El-Sisi said Egypt does not have a problem with “brotherly Ethiopia.” He emphasized that Egypt’s sole demand is the protection of its historical rights to Nile waters and the conclusion of a legally binding agreement governing the filling and operation of the Ethiopian dam.
According to a statement from the Egyptian presidency, President El-Sisi underscored that Egypt’s foreign policy is guided by a consistent principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and a rejection of policies that undermine regional stability. In this context, he noted that Egypt, despite its differences with Ethiopia, has never issued threats, reflecting its belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and political solutions rather than confrontation.
The remarks were delivered on the sidelines of the second ministerial conference of the Russia–Africa Partnership Forum, hosted by Egypt, and attended by Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty. The forum provided a platform for open dialogue between Egypt’s leadership and African representatives on shared political, security, and development challenges facing the continent.
President El-Sisi highlighted that Africa’s development efforts continue to face major obstacles, including weak infrastructure, limited access to financing, and elevated levels of risk. He argued that addressing these challenges is essential for achieving stability, reducing conflict, and accelerating progress across the continent.
Outlining Egypt’s vision for development in Africa, the president identified five key pillars: supporting the implementation of strategic corridors and logistics zones; strengthening cooperation in the energy sector and electricity interconnection; advancing agricultural development and food security; boosting intra-African trade; and enhancing cooperation in communications, information technology, and artificial intelligence.
He stressed that strong infrastructure constitutes a cornerstone for stability and development in Africa, as it creates opportunities, reduces tensions, and offers hope to populations facing economic and social pressures. El-Sisi was explicit in his rejection of military approaches to crises, stating that armed solutions do not provide an exit from conflicts, while political settlements remain the most effective and sustainable path forward.
The presidency said the meeting featured an open exchange of views between President El-Sisi and the African delegations participating in the forum. African ministers, in turn, expressed their appreciation for Egypt’s role in promoting peace and stability in Africa and the Middle East, as well as its support for development initiatives across the continent.
They also voiced their expectation that Egypt would continue to play a leading role in supporting African countries’ development and prosperity, praising President El-Sisi’s personal leadership and the contribution of Egyptian companies to infrastructure and development projects in numerous African states.
The address reinforced Egypt’s positioning as a proponent of diplomacy, development-driven stability, and African cooperation, while signaling Cairo’s continued insistence on a negotiated and legally binding resolution to the Nile dispute within a broader framework of peaceful regional relations.
