Egypt’s Sisi receives letter from DRC counterpart

CAIRO - 3 October 2021: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received on Sunday a letter to President El-Sisi from DRC President Felix Tshisekedi who expressed his deep appreciation for Egypt’s diligent support for the DRC during its current chairmanship of the African Union. 

The letter was delivered by Special Envoy of the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Permanent Representative of the DRC to the African Union, Ambassador Jean-Leon Ngandu, said Egyptian Presidential spokesperson Bassam Radi in a statement.

“This emanates from Egypt’s extensive experience within the framework of multilateral action across the African continent. President Tshisekedi also commended the distinguished relations of friendship and brotherly ties between the two countries, reaffirming his aspiration to continue strengthening these relations across all levels,” Radi said.

President El-Sisi asked for his greetings to be conveyed to his brother, President Tshisekedi, praising the DRC’s rigorous efforts within the framework of its current AU chairmanship, Radi continued. 

The President reiterated that Egypt will continue to support the DRC in assuming its important responsibility of spearheading joint African action throughout the current year, in addition to strengthening bilateral relationship, as per their special historic bonds that are a model to be emulated for joint cooperation and coordination in the African continent, Radi said.

The meeting also discussed the latest developments in a multitude of issues of common interest in the continent, which represent a priority on the African Union's agenda during the current period. 

The meeting was also attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Sameh Shoukry and Chargé d'Affaires of the DRC Embassy in Cairo, Tshibasu Mfuadi.

The Republic Democratic of Congo (DRC) has drawn up a timetable for the tripartite negotiation process between Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia regarding the issue of the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), said Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in a press conference with DRC counterpart Christophe Lutundula on September 16, 2021.

Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan are at loggerheads over the $4-billion dam; Cairo voiced concern over its water share [55.5 billion cubic meters] after Ethiopia started building the dam on the Blue Nile in May 2011.

In 2015, the three countries signed the Declaration of Principles, per which the downstream countries [Egypt and Sudan] should not be negatively affected by the construction of the dam.