Cairo: Egypt urged Nile Basin countries on Wednesday to strengthen cooperation and reach a consensus on water-related issues in a way that ensures mutual benefit and prevents harm to any party, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency. The call for unity came during talks between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, who is currently visiting Cairo.
According to Anadolu Agency, Egyptian Irrigation Minister Hani Sewilam had previously welcomed the decision made by the Nile Basin Initiative ministerial council in Uganda in November 2024 to initiate a consultation process addressing the concerns of the four countries that have not joined or ratified the Cooperative Framework Agreement. Egyptian media reported in February 2026 that the consultative committee includes seven countries, among them Egypt, Sudan, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the four states objecting to the agreement. Uganda, Rwanda, and South Sudan are also part of this committee, serving as mediators.
During their discussions, Sisi and Tshisekedi emphasized the importance of cooperation among Nile Basin countries and the necessity of adhering to international law governing transboundary rivers. Tshisekedi expressed appreciation for Egypt's stance in promoting consensus and supporting the development aspirations of the Nile Basin countries, reaffirming his nation's commitment to strengthening coordination with Cairo on this issue.
The Cooperative Framework Agreement, also known as the Entebbe Agreement, was initially introduced in 1999 and signed in 2010 by Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda, and Burundi. South Sudan joined the agreement in July 2024, despite ongoing opposition from Egypt and Sudan. Cairo and Khartoum argue that the agreement overlooks water-sharing arrangements established under earlier treaties in 1902, 1929, and 1959, which allocated specific water volumes to Egypt and Sudan and gave Cairo the right to object to projects that could negatively impact water flows.
The talks between Sisi and Tshisekedi were described as 'fruitful and constructive' by Sisi, who praised the Congolese for their positions on the Nile water issue. Sisi emphasized the importance of respecting international law and rejecting unilateral measures among Nile Basin states. He stressed the need for consensus and inclusiveness in the consultation process within the Nile Basin Initiative, ensuring mutual benefit without harming any party.
Addressing the peoples of the Nile Basin states, Sisi reiterated that Egypt seeks adherence to the principles of international law, good neighborliness, mutual benefit, and avoiding harm to any party. The Nile River, a crucial water source, stretches 6,650 kilometers and is shared by 11 countries, including Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt.