President El-Sisi Receives U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received today U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mr. Jeffrey Feltman, in the presence Egypt’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Sameh Shoukry, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Dr. Mohamed Abdel-Aty, and U.S. Ambassador to Cairo Mr. Jonathan Cohen.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency stated that President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi congratulated Mr. Feltman on his new post. His Excellency wished him success in dealing with regional issues in a way that would promote security, stability, and development, particularly at a time when the Horn of Africa is facing many complex challenges that undermine its stability. In this regard, the importance of intensive U.S. engagement to contain these challenges was emphasized.

The President affirmed Egypt's keenness to strengthen bilateral cooperation with the United States, within the framework of the extended strategic partnership between the two friendly countries which plays a vital role in achieving stability in the Middle East and the African continent.

For his part, Mr. Feltman pointed out that the United States values the strategic U.S.-Egyptian relations in light of Egypt’s political leverage and pivotal role in its region. Hence, this would contribute to achieving balance in the region. The United States is keen to enhance bilateral and regional cooperation between the two friendly countries, Mr. Feltman stressed.

The Spokesman also added that the meeting discussed several regional files in the Horn of Africa, foremost among which is the Grand Renaissance Ethiopian Dam (GERD). Mr. Feltman affirmed that the U.S. administration is earnest in solving this sensitive issue given that it is of a great importance to Egypt and the region. With that, the American Envoy stressed that reaching a just and comprehensive settlement to the GERD issue is required.

His Excellency, for his part, discussed in detail the development of the GERD issue, highlighting the flexible approach Egypt adopts in dealing with this issue over the past years in the various negotiation tracks.

These negotiations have always been based on seeking to reach a fair, balanced, and legally binding agreement that would achieve the interests of Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia, take into account Egypt’s rights, interests as well as its water security and avoid inflicting harm on it. However, all the efforts that were made during the negotiation process did not help reach the desired agreement due to the absence of a political will of the other party.

In this context, President El-Sisi affirmed that Egypt is still seeking to reach a legally binding, just and equitable agreement on the filling and operation of the GERD. This will be attained through the African Union-backed negotiation track, under the leadership of Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. His Excellency stressed that this an existential issue for Egypt. It was stressed that an agreement to this issue should be reached without prejudice to Egypt’s water rights and its people’s resources. Egypt will not accept any harm inflicted on its water interests. It was also noted that the international community should assume its responsibilities to resolve this crisis and stressed the importance of the American vital role in this regard.