Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with Burundian President and current African Union Chairperson Évariste Ndayishimiye on Saturday, securing strong backing for Cairo’s stance on Nile water security during talks on the sidelines of the Alamein-Africa Forum.
Presidential Spokesperson Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy stated that the Nile water dispute was a central focus of the meeting. Al-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s firm position on preserving its water rights, describing the matter as an existential issue for the Egyptian people. The president emphasized the necessity of cooperation among Nile Basin countries based on mutual benefit and non-harm, warning against the risks of unilateral actions and firmly rejecting the political exploitation of the Nile file.
In response, President Ndayishimiye affirmed Burundi’s full understanding of Egypt’s concerns, agreeing that water security is a matter of life and existence for Egypt. He stressed that regional development cannot be achieved at the expense of human lives, underscoring Bujumbura’s commitment to the principles of cooperation, consultation, and consensus among basin states to ensure optimal shared resource management.
Beyond water security, Al-Sisi praised Ndayishimiye’s current leadership of the African Union and his efforts to advance Agenda 2063. The Egyptian president reaffirmed Cairo’s support for the AU’s role in resolving continental disputes through peaceful means.
The leaders also discussed expanding bilateral economic and developmental cooperation. Al-Sisi highlighted opportunities for Egyptian companies to deploy their expertise in Burundi across priority sectors, including infrastructure, agriculture, irrigation, renewable energy, healthcare, and capacity building.
Ndayishimiye expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s active role in promoting continental peace and development, stating he looked forward to convening the joint bilateral committee between the two nations. The Burundian leader concluded the meeting by inviting Al-Sisi to visit Bujumbura, an invitation the Egyptian president welcomed.
