Tanzanian president praises relations with Egypt’s Sisi

CAIRO – 2 October 2018: Tanzanian president John Magufuli praised the strong relations between him and his Egyptian counterpart, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during a meeting on Monday with Egyptian Ambassador Yasser al-Shwaf.

Magufuli expressed his wishes for boosting the Egyptian-Tanzanian relations during the upcoming period, according to a presidential statement. Magufuli also thanked Shwaf for his efforts during his tenure as Egyptian ambassador.

In August 2017, Sisi meet with Magufuli in the Tanzanian capital Dar es Salaam, where they discussed several issues including investment and the economy.

During a press conference held by the two leaders, Sisi said that Egypt is looking to boost the volume of trade exchange, investment, and economic activity with Tanzania. He added that Egyptian-Tanzanian bilateral ties are “long and historical,” as several ties bound the two countries including the Nile.

During the conference, Sisi praised Magufuli’s efforts countering corruption, developing the state’s administrative aspects, and strengthening peace and security. “These efforts coincide with Egypt's intensive efforts to confront corruption as well,” Sisi said.

Sisi renewed an invitation to his Tanzanian counterpart to visit Egypt to continue their talks and discussions on the two countries’ bilateral ties. He also promised that the two countries’ joint committee will soon launch, whereby all that was discussed between him and Magufuli turns to reality as soon as possible.

“Egypt and Tanzania are looking to the future with confidence and optimism,” Sisi added.
Sisi visited several African countries since he took office. His first participation at the African Union Summit on June 2014 in the Equatorial Guinea was at the time considered a restoration of African-Egyptian relations after years of neglect during Mubarak’s era.