Sisi: River management must be based on law.. and we call for peace that protects development

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi said on Sunday that the African continent is going through a critical phase marked by conflicts and geopolitical tensions, emphasizing that relations between countries should be based on mutual respect and good neighborliness, and that the unity of states and the integrity of their territories are "fundamental principles for the stability of Africa."

During the eighth coordination summit of the African Union in the Egyptian city of El-Alamein, he added that cooperation in managing transboundary rivers "must be based on the rule of law."

He stated that rebuilding countries after conflicts is an essential component of the African peace and security system, and that economic integration is "one of the most important tools for establishing peace."

He called for the full activation of the African Free Trade Agreement and the establishment of integrated value chains within Africa. He stressed that "African economic integration must be a real driver of growth."

He added: "We are committed to supporting efforts to finance projects on the African continent, and we call for peace that protects development."

He considered that the coordination meeting is "a new step towards coordination, integration, crisis management, and capacity building," as well as discussing ways to enhance coordination between African Union countries and economic groups.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi warned on Saturday, during his meeting with Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye, about the risks of unilateral actions that affect the water interests of Nile Basin countries.

The African events are attended by 20 heads of state and government leaders, and about 1500 people, including senior officials, leaders of financial institutions, investors, and representatives from the public and private sectors.

The eighth coordination summit of the African Union is being held in El Alamein at a time when African challenges exceed the boundaries of economic and developmental issues, as they intersect with security and political crises in the eastern part of the continent and the Horn of Africa.

The Union stated that the summit aims to enhance integration between its institutions and regional economic groups, accelerate the implementation of the 2063 Agenda, and develop early warning mechanisms and conflict prevention. However, the summit comes amid escalating unrest in Ethiopia, the ongoing war in Sudan, security and political challenges in Somalia, increasing tension in the relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea, in addition to maritime corridor crises and securing them.

Sisi had warned on Saturday, during his meeting with his Burundian counterpart Évariste Ndayishimiye, about the dangers of unilateral actions that affect the water interests of Nile Basin countries, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.

The Egyptian presidency added that Sisi emphasized during the meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the New Alamein Africa Business Forum in New Alamein City, the "constants of the Egyptian position represented in preserving Egypt's rights and water interests, considering it an existential issue for the Egyptian people."

The Egyptian president affirmed Cairo's rejection of "using the Nile water issue to achieve political gains," pointing to the importance of enhancing cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on achieving common interests without harming any country in the basin.