New Alamein:Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has rejected the use of Nile water for political gains and advocated for peaceful solutions to Africa's conflicts, particularly during a time of heightened tensions with Ethiopia.

According to Anadolu Agency, President Sisi made these remarks while meeting with Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye, the current African Union chairperson, on the sidelines of the Alamein Africa Forum in northern Egypt. Sisi emphasized Egypt's commitment to collaborating with Burundi and supporting the African Union's role in resolving conflicts peacefully.

The two leaders discussed the Nile water issue, with Sisi highlighting the necessity for cooperation among basin countries based on mutual interests and the avoidance of harm. He reiterated Egypt's stance against using the Nile water issue for political objectives.

These discussions occur amidst a dispute with Ethiopia concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The tensions intensified following Ethiopia's decision to sever diplomatic ties with Eritrea and a series of diplomatic expulsions between Cairo and Addis Ababa. In response, the African Union Commission has called for calm, although Egypt expressed reservations about the commission's statement.

President Sisi also held discussions with Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the forum. They addressed security and stability in the Horn of Africa, the Gulf of Aden, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, and the Red Sea. Both leaders agreed on the necessity of ongoing coordination among Egypt, Somalia, and other regional countries to bolster regional security and protect their peoples' interests.