They also urged the restoration of consensus within the Nile Basin Initiative (NBI), following talks in Cairo between Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Sudan’s Transitional Prime Minister Kamel Idris.
In a joint statement issued after their meeting, the two sides reaffirmed their “categorical rejection” of any unilateral measures in the Eastern Nile Basin that could harm the water interests of downstream states, stressing that such actions threaten regional stability and violate international legal principles governing shared rivers.
The statement said Egypt and Sudan called on Ethiopia to comply with key principles of international water law, including prior notification, consultation, no harm, and consensus, to ensure that the Nile remains a source of cooperation and shared prosperity rather than tension.
The two countries also pledged to continue working with other Nile Basin states to restore consensus within the NBI through the ongoing consultative process with non-signatories to the Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA).
They welcomed progress achieved so far, particularly a report submitted by a concerned NBI sub-committee recommending continued consultations, including the possibility of amending or adding protocols to the framework agreement to address the concerns of all basin states.
Both sides rejected any unilateral attempts to obstruct the consultative track, describing cooperation and mutual benefit among Nile Basin countries as a shared objective rooted in solidarity and fraternity.
The talks further underscored that Egyptian and Sudanese water security are “intrinsically linked and indivisible.”
The two sides agreed to coordinate positions fully in regional and international forums dealing with Nile-related issues and to continue consultations through the Permanent Joint Technical Commission for Nile Waters, established under the 1959 Nile Waters Agreement, as the body mandated to formulate unified positions on water affairs.
Beyond the Nile file, the Cairo meeting addressed bilateral ties and developments in Sudan. In their joint statement, the two prime ministers reaffirmed the depth of historic and fraternal ties between Egypt and Sudan and their commitment to strengthening coordination to support security, stability, and development.
Egypt reiterated what it described as red lines set by its political leadership, reaffirming full support for Sudan’s unity, territorial integrity, and national institutions.
Cairo expressed firm backing for Sudan’s legitimate state institutions, including the Transitional Sovereignty Council headed by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, the government of Kamel Idris, and the Sudanese Armed Forces, describing them as pillars for preserving the state’s unity and restoring security.
The two sides stressed the importance of enabling Sudanese state institutions to assume their responsibilities fully, supporting efforts to extend state authority, restore normal life, and alleviate humanitarian suffering resulting from the ongoing conflict. Idris expressed appreciation for Egypt’s support at various levels within what the statement described as the Nile Valley brotherhood linking the two nations.
On economic cooperation, the two governments affirmed their commitment to expanding trade and investment ties and supporting reconstruction in Sudan as an urgent national priority to achieve sustainable stability.
Egypt signaled its readiness to contribute to reconstruction projects across Sudan, particularly in infrastructure, electricity, and water, and to transfer its construction and infrastructure rehabilitation expertise.
The statement highlighted the importance of activating a joint working group on Sudan’s reconstruction and expediting the development of its executive programmes.
Both sides also agreed to convene upcoming bilateral engagements, including an Egyptian-Sudanese Business Forum, joint committees, and exchanges of official and technical delegations.
The Sudanese side expressed appreciation for Egypt’s continued support and care for members of the Sudanese community residing in Egypt.
Egypt also welcomed Sudan’s request to draw on its expertise in establishing a new administrative city modelled on Egypt’s own experience, as part of broader reconstruction efforts.
The meeting concluded with both sides pledging to maintain what they described as a strategic relationship serving the aspirations of both peoples for security, stability, and sustainable development.
Earlier on Thursday, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s firm support for Sudan’s stability and territorial integrity during talks in Cairo with Idris, stressing Egypt’s efforts to help end the war and ease humanitarian suffering.
Sudan has been gripped by war since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a conflict that has killed tens of thousands and displaced around 11 million people. Egypt has consistently rejected any attempt to divide Sudan or undermine its state institutions. It has engaged in mediation efforts, including participation in the Quad mechanism alongside the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Cairo has also facilitated humanitarian aid, hosted coordination meetings on peace initiatives, and called for expanded UN operations in severely affected regions such as Darfur and Kordofan, while urging accountability for violations and warning against external interference in the conflict.
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