Update: Sisi reiterates need for binding legal deal on GERD in meeting with Guinea-Bissau’s counterpart

CAIRO – 4 March 2021: Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi reiterated Egypt’s fixed stance to reach a binding legal agreement on the filling and operation of Ethiopia’s Renaissance Dam (GERD), as he received on Thursday President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló.

Egypt and Sudan have jointly and separately highlighted the need to reach a binding agreement on the dam, to secure the rights of both countries.

However, Ethiopia unilaterally implemented the first phase of the dam filling last year and insists to implement the second filling next July despite the absence of a binding agreement and the concerns of the Egypt and Sudan.

Ongoing rounds of African Union-sponsored talks on the issue have been in a stalemate.

President’s Thursday remarks came as he held a press conference in Cairo’s Al-Ittihadiya Palace with his Guinea-Bissau counterpart.

During the press conference, Embaló said Guinea-Bissau hopes that both countries’ embassies are reopened.

He affirmed keenness to exchange expertise with Egypt, especially regarding counter-terrorism efforts.

Embaló said he discussed with Sisi cooperation between the two countries in the security and defense fields, noting that he has accompanied his country’s ministers of foreign affairs, finance and defense during the Cairo visit.

The Guinea-Bissau president also hailed the Africa-related efforts Egypt has made under President Sisi.

He mentioned late Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser for his continental efforts, saying that Egypt has been in a similar vein under Sisi.

President Sisi, during the conference, hailed the historic relations between Egypt and Guinea-Bissau, saying that this visit represents an important chance to enhance their bilateral ties.

Sisi said his talks with President Embaló during their meeting were fruitful and constructive and reflected the joint political will to enhance strategic partnership, trade exchange and investments between the two countries.

During their meeting, the two leaders discussed efforts to counter terrorism, extremism, and illegal immigration in Africa, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

Sisi affirmed Egypt’s readiness to provide all possible forms of support to Guinea-Bissau, including supporting the West African state in international forums.

The president highlighted the importance Egypt’s attaches to consolidating the stability and security pillars in Guinea-Bissau.

Sisi voiced Egypt’s readiness to receive Guinea-Bissau’s cadres participating in the capacity building and technical support programs supervised by the Egyptian Agency of Partnership for Development.