By Spy Uganda Correspondent
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday met with the President of South Sudan, Salva Kiir Mayardit on Saturday to discuss developments regarding the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) and the situation in the East Africa region.
Egypt’s presidential spokesperson Bassam Rady said that Sisi’s visit to South Sudan is the first of its kind, and discussed various topics related to joint cooperation between both countries.
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In his speech during a joint press conference with Kiir, Sisi said that the talks also focused on strengthening existing cooperation between the two countries in water resources and irrigation, and to join efforts to maximize the utilization of the Nile River’s resources.
“We affirmed that Egypt’s vision is based on the fact that the Nile River should be a source of cooperation and development as a lifeline for all the people of the Nile Basin countries,” he explained.
“We reviewed the developments regarding the issue of GERD and the course of the ongoing negotiations with the aim of reaching a binding legal agreement on filling and operating the Renaissance Dam,” he added.
The talks also exchanged views on many current regional and international issues of common interest, Sisi said, especially the ongoing developments in the Horn of Africa and East Africa which he stressed are of strategic importance, and how to work to contain their potential repercussions on the region.
“We agreed to coordinate our joint efforts in a way that achieves security and stability in the region, and preserves the interests of the peoples of the region in a framework of transparency and common interest,” Sisi added.
Back in September, Sisi received South Sudan’s Presidential Advisor for Security Affairs Tut Gatluak in Cairo.
Sisi stressed that the consolidation of security and stability will guarantee South Sudan’s development.
The Egyptian President assured that his country was ready and eager to provide all support to South Sudan, especially regarding development, and will help it benefit from the leading Egyptian experiences regarding the process of development and construction.
