Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in New El Alamein on October 4, 2026. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 8th mid-year coordinating meeting of the African Union. According to the Egyptian presidency's spokesperson, President el-Sisi expressed Egypt's appreciation for its historical and distinguished relations with South Africa. He emphasized Egypt's keenness to continue working together to elevate bilateral relations.
President el-Sisi highlighted the importance of activating existing cooperation frameworks between the two countries. He also welcomed the formation of a business council between Egypt and South Africa. The two countries can leverage their significant capabilities and potentials to boost development and economic integration in Africa. President Ramaphosa expressed his appreciation for Egypt's role in supporting African cooperation.
President Ramaphosa emphasized South Africa's commitment to enhancing cooperation and coordination with Egypt. This is particularly important given the shared visions of the two countries on various African and international issues. He commended Egypt for hosting the African Union's coordinating meeting and its efforts to support integration and development in Africa. President Ramaphosa also extended an invitation to President el-Sisi to conduct a state visit to South Africa.
The two presidents exchanged views on several regional issues, including the Palestinian issue. President el-Sisi expressed appreciation for South Africa's principled stance on the Palestinian issue. President Ramaphosa noted that South Africa's position is rooted in Egypt's historical stance on the issue. The two leaders emphasized the importance of supporting efforts to achieve security, stability, and peaceful conflict resolution in Africa.
The presidents also discussed the issue of irregular migration and its burdens on countries. They explored ways to address this challenge. President el-Sisi and President Ramaphosa stressed the need for African countries to work together to tackle these issues. This will enable the continent to focus its resources on achieving sustainable development and improving the living standards of its people.
The meeting between President el-Sisi and President Ramaphosa reflects the strong relations between Egypt and South Africa. The two countries have a long history of cooperation and coordination on various regional and international issues. The meeting also highlights the importance of African cooperation and the need for countries to work together to address common challenges.
The African Union's mid-year coordinating meeting is an important event that brings together African leaders to discuss key issues affecting the continent. Egypt's hosting of the meeting demonstrates its commitment to African cooperation and its role in promoting integration and development in Africa. The meeting also provides a platform for countries to share experiences and best practices in addressing common challenges.
Key points
- Egypt and South Africa have a long history of cooperation and coordination on various regional and international issues.
