Cairo: Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates, Badr Abdelatty, on Thursday 21/8/2025, engaged in a series of phone conversations with his counterparts from Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti, Uganda, Kenya, and Somalia. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral ties and exchanging views on African issues of mutual concern.
According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty emphasized Egypt's dedication to strengthening relationships with African nations, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, and investment. This commitment is to be realized through various mechanisms, including an Egyptian funding initiative aimed at development projects in the Southern Nile Basin countries, designed to meet the aspirations of African peoples for sustainable development.
The dialogues also highlighted the importance of South-South cooperation as a means to serve common interests, share expertise, and enhance the capacity of African states to address development challenges. The Egyptian foreign minister and his African counterparts agreed on the need to intensify collaborative efforts, particularly within the framework of the African Union (AU), to advance peace, security, and stability on the continent.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to promoting joint African action and the role of the AU in tackling priority issues. They noted that such efforts align with the AU's Agenda 2063 and the outcomes of the four prior editions of the Aswan Forum for Sustainable Peace and Development. These initiatives are expected to contribute to development, food security, and economic integration across Africa.
In their discussions, the ministers also addressed recent developments in the Horn of Africa and the security of the Red Sea. They stressed the importance of enhanced consultation and coordination to manage challenges effectively, ensuring stability and promoting development within the region.
Abdelatty underscored water security as a critical concern for Egypt, highlighting the importance of adhering to international law principles regarding shared water resources. He advocated for cooperation based on mutual benefit and rejected any unilateral actions that violate international law within the Eastern Nile Basin. The foreign minister stressed that consensus should guide the relationships between countries that share transboundary waterways.