Egypt always helps African states: CEN-SAD SG

CAIRO – 1 May 2018: Ibrahim Sani Abani, secretary general of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD), said that Egypt is a strong country that has always offered help to other African states.

In an interview with Egypt Today, Abani said that Egypt is a pioneer country in Africa, which has witnessed progress in various realms, adding that CEN-SAD is proud of Egypt’s membership.

Abani said that Egypt has supported CEN-SAD states by providing their defense and security forces with 1,000 training grants, following a meeting between CEN-SAD defense ministers in 2016.


Egypt's Defence Minister Sedki Sobhi (L) and Secretary General of the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) Ibrahim Sani Abani at a conference for defence ministers of the 27 members in the Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh on March 24, 2016 (AFP Photo/Khaled Desouki)

Concerning counterterrorism efforts, Abani said that Egypt has actually backed the Sahel-Saharan Anti-Terrorism Center, adding that safety and security are keys to progress, as investment and two-way trade cannot be carried out amid the spread of terrorism and a state of instability.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi held a joint press conference on May 25, 2017 with President Alpha Conde of Guinea, which is one of the subsequent members of the CEN-SAD. Sisi agreed on enhancing security and military coordination to combat terrorism and organized crime in the Sahel region.

Presidents Sisi and Conde reaffirmed their resolve to set up a regional center to combat terrorism. The center is to be set up in Cairo.

Sisi expressed his optimism that this center shall contribute positively to enhancing regional cooperation regarding counterterrorism efforts.


President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi (R) and Guinean counterpart Alpha Conde (L) in a joint press conference - File photo

In the opening session of the 14th Committee of Intelligence and Security Services of Africa (CISSA) conference held in Khartoum last September, Abani lauded President Sisi's efforts and initiatives to combat terrorism and extremist ideology.

Various counterterrorism efforts, initiatives and programs have been backed by Egypt and its president, Abani said, calling on all African states to follow Cairo's steps and unite to confront the security threats and challenges facing them.

Concerning the construction of Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam, Abani told Egypt Today that he regrets the crisis between Egypt and Ethiopia, being two African countries that used to have mutual cooperation and good ties. He also expressed hopes that CEN-SAD would come to resolve the crisis through negotiations.

Abani said that the two countries have seen many years of cooperation, and he wishes that the crisis be solved through discussion.

Last April, Irrigation Minister Mohamed Abdel-Ati said that Egypt seeks a “just” solution to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue.


A general view of Ethiopia's Grand Renaissance Dam, as it undergoes construction, is seen during a media tour along the river Nile in Benishangul Gumuz Region, Guba Woreda, in Ethiopia March 31, 2015. - Picture taken March 31, 2015. REUTER/Tiksa Negeri

Abdel-Ati made it clear that Egypt is not against the building of dams in the Nile Basin countries of Sudan, Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, DR Congo, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and Eritrea.

He added that Egypt participated in the building of several dams in Africa, including Owen Falls Dam, a hydroelectric power station across the White Nile near to its source at Lake Victoria in Uganda.

Also, Egypt helped build dams in Ethiopia and Sudan, Abdel-Ati stressed.

As for challenges to Egypt's water resources, Abdel-Ati said that the government adopted a national plan for water resource management and development.

The plan aims at reducing the waste of water, developing irrigation methods, improving water quality and reducing areas planted with water-intensive crops, Abdel-Ati said.