Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has stated that Egypt will continue to prioritize diplomacy and peaceful solutions in dealing with Ethiopia's Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD). However, he emphasized that this approach will not come at the expense of Egypt's existence and its people. Al-Sisi made these remarks during an expanded meeting at the Strategic Command headquarters in the New Capital.
Al-Sisi noted that Egypt has substantial resources that could produce better results if used efficiently. He called for stronger domestic cohesion and greater public awareness, highlighting the importance of maintaining state institutions and stability. The president also pointed to efforts to increase Egypt's available water resources through desalination, water treatment, and reuse.
The Egyptian government has reiterated at the UN General Assembly that water security is an existential issue and that Egypt reserves its legitimate right under international law to protect it. Egypt has for years publicly maintained that it favors a negotiated solution that safeguards its water rights. Al-Sisi stressed that water security is non-negotiable.
Al-Sisi also discussed the economic challenges facing Egypt, including the loss of around $20bn in Suez Canal revenue in recent years amid regional instability. He added that the country has faced successive economic shocks since 2020, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the war in Gaza.
The president emphasized Egypt's support for the security and stability of Gulf Arab states and said freedom of navigation through international waterways should be protected in accordance with international law. He also described the Palestinian issue as central to stability in the Middle East, reiterating Cairo's support for a two-state solution.
Domestically, Al-Sisi called for greater public confidence in state institutions and efforts to counter attempts to spread frustration and misinformation through social media. He instructed the Interior Ministry to reduce vehicle licensing costs and urged officials to improve the treatment of citizens using public services.
Al-Sisi also highlighted the importance of improving education quality to prepare younger generations for rapid technological change, including the use of artificial intelligence. He called for greater use of the benefits offered by artificial intelligence while also putting safeguards in place to address its potential risks.
Key points
- Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi emphasizes that water security is non-negotiable in talks with Ethiopia over the GERD.
- Al-Sisi calls for stronger domestic cohesion and greater public awareness to address social and service-related challenges.
- Egypt has lost around $20bn in Suez Canal revenue in recent years amid regional instability.
