Sisi's Africa tour kicks off Monday

CAIRO - 14 August 2017: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi kicks off a tour to four African states Monday, aiming to discuss challenges facing the dark continent, including the water security issue.

Sisi's tour will last for four days, and is set to include Tanzania, Rwanda, Gabon and Chad, according to presidential spokesperson Alaa Youssef.

The issues and files that Sisi intends to discuss during the visit include the water security issue of the Nile Basin countries, in addition to strengthening the economic and political partnerships of Egypt in the continent and emphasizing the importance of presidential diplomacy in resolving crises and rebuilding the good relationship between Egypt and the other African countries.

Another important issue that Sisi intends to tackle during the visit has to do with maintaining the security and peace in the continent, taking into account Egypt's current membership in the Security Council and the African Peace and Security Council.

During this new trip, Sisi will meet the heads of state and top officials of the four African countries. He will also preside over several bilateral meetings, showing the strong partnership ties that is gaining momentum between Egypt and other African countries.

Since President Sisi came to power in 2014, he has paid several visits to African
countries, a move which helped to spur Egyptian-African trade exchanges, investments, economic partnership and cooperation in various sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, vocational training, banking, mining and human development.

The new tour clearly shows Egypt’s determination to bolster ties with African countries facing major development challenges amid regional and international economic and political turmoil.