President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi reminded his Kenyan counterpart, William Ruto, of the “existential” importance of the Nile waters to Egypt.
This was during a telephone conversation focused on water balance and regional cooperation.
According to a statement released by the Egyptian presidency on Monday, the two heads of state prioritised the Nile issue, against a backdrop of persistent tensions between Cairo and Addis
Ababa.
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasised that “the Nile water issue is of paramount importance to Egypt,” stressing the need to preserve the country’s historical water rights.
This exchange comes several months after Ethiopia’s commissioning of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) in September 2025, a decision contested by Egypt and Sudan.
Echoing this sentiment, William Ruto highlighted Kenya’s commitment to fostering a “consensus among all stakeholders” in the Nile basin.
Nairobi, a signatory to the 2010 Entebbe Agreement – which redefines the sharing of the river’s waters – has not yet ratified it, unlike several riparian countries, including Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Uganda.
Cairo and Khartoum reject the agreement, arguing that it does not take into account their historical rights to the waters of the world’s longest river.
Beyond the water dispute, talks also focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment sectors.
No specific amounts were disclosed by the authorities regarding potential projects or financial commitments; the communiqué merely mentioned an intensification of trade between the two countries.
In a further development of the discussions, the two leaders addressed the security situation in Sudan, the scene of a protracted conflict.
The Egyptian president called for an end to hostilities and respect for Sudanese sovereignty, while his Kenyan counterpart praised Cairo’s role in regional stabilisation efforts.
Both parties agreed to strengthen political consultation, particularly on issues related to the Horn of Africa.
MK/AK/Sf/fss/as/APA